On May 6, 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a series of missile strikes targeting nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. This military action was in retaliation for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 Indian tourists were killed. The Resistance Front (TRF), an armed group advocating for Kashmir’s independence, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. India alleges that TRF is an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a claim Pakistan denies, calling for a neutral investigation into the incident.
India’s strikes focused on dismantling what it described as “terrorist infrastructure,” targeting organizations including LeT and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM). According to Indian military officials, five of the nine targeted sites were in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while the remaining four were in Punjab, specifically in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Shakar Garh, and a village near Sialkot. These locations are significant due to their alleged association with militant activities.
The Indian military presented a map highlighting 21 purported “terrorist camps” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Pakistan reported that the Indian strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 26 civilians, including women and children, and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, such as mosques. In response, Pakistan claimed to have downed multiple Indian military aircraft and vowed to retaliate.
The escalation has raised international concerns, with calls for restraint from global actors, including the United Nations and neighboring countries. The situation underscores the volatile nature of India-Pakistan relations and the potential for rapid escalation in the region.
Operation Sindoor represents a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, highlighting the complexities of regional security, the challenges of counterterrorism, and the importance of diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
Source; Al Jazeera
