Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliatory Strikes against Terror Infrastructure

Context

India’s counter-terrorism strategy has evolved over the years, responding to cross-border terror threats from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). After major incidents like the Uri attack (2016) and the Pulwama attack (2019), India adopted a more assertive stance, launching surgical strikes and airstrikes against terror infrastructure.

In May 2025, Operation Sindoor was launched as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, marking the most extensive retaliation since the Balakot airstrikes (2019). The operation was designed to neutralize terror camps responsible for planning and executing attacks on Indian soil.

Trigger for Operation Sindoor

The immediate catalyst for the operation was the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which led to the following:

• 26 civilians were killed, including 25 Indians and 1 Nepali citizen

• Among the victims was Navy Lt. Vinay Narwal, whose wife’s image post-attack became a symbol of national grief

• The attack primarily targeted tourists, including several honeymooning couples, intensifying public outrage and grief across the country

The brutality of the attack necessitated a strong retaliatory response from India, with the government determining that the terrorists responsible must be held accountable.

Objectives and Targets of Operation Sindoor

The main objectives of Operation Sindoor were to:

• Target and destroy terror infrastructure associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)

• Disrupt terror planning, recruitment, and training activities

• Send a strong message of deterrence against future terror acts, while avoiding a full-scale military confrontation

The operation focused on nine terror-linked sites, including:

1. Bahawalpur (Pakistan Punjab)

   • Stronghold of Jaish-e-Mohammed

   • Birthplace of Masood Azhar, a key figure behind several attacks against India

   • Strategically located near the Rajasthan frontier, across the Thar desert

2. Muridke (near Lahore)

   • Headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba

   • Markaz-e-Taiba, the central training camp of LeT, is based here

3. Muzaffarabad (PoK)

   • Capital of PoK

   • A hub for various terror groups that receive support from the Pakistan Army for cross-border infiltration

4. Kotli (PoK)

   • Located near the Line of Control (LoC) opposite Jammu

   • Vital infiltration route into Poonch and Rajouri districts

Additionally, five other sites in Pakistan and PoK were also struck, specifically targeting operational leadership and terror facilities.

Nature of the Operation

• The operation employed high-precision missile systems, executed from within Indian airspace.

• No Pakistani military installations were targeted, as the focus remained solely on terror infrastructure.

• The operation was described as focused, measured, and non-escalatory, aimed at minimizing collateral damage.

India’s restraint in the selection of targets and methods reflected the government's desire to avoid full-scale military escalation while sending a clear message of resolve against cross-border terrorism.

Before launching the operation, India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), signaling large-scale military exercises, which masked the operational preparations.

Diplomatic and Strategic Implications

• India undertook diplomatic steps before the operation to raise global awareness about Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism.

• Post-strike statements emphasized India’s intent to hold terror masterminds accountable, while highlighting the operation’s measured nature.

• The name “Operation Sindoor” was symbolic, invoking the cultural significance of sindoor as a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam attack, particularly the young couples targeted.

This approach demonstrated India’s strategic restraint and responsibility in conducting military operations under international scrutiny.

Domestic and Operational Impact

• Heightened military readiness was observed along India’s western borders following the strikes.

• Temporary disruptions occurred in air travel in northern India due to increased military activity.

• The operation bolstered India’s image as a regional power capable of measured military action, while avoiding violations of international law.

A press briefing was scheduled to provide further details and rationale behind the operation, reinforcing India’s position on combating terrorism.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor highlights India’s evolving counter-terrorism doctrine, emphasizing a balance between military decisiveness and strategic restraint. The operation was an important step in:

• Neutralizing terror infrastructure

• Demonstrating India’s resolve to act against terrorism, while maintaining international norms

The mission showed that India is willing to use calibrated force to counter terrorism without escalating into a broader conflict, strengthening deterrence while maintaining diplomatic space for future negotiations.