In retaliation to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on Wednesday targeting nine key terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group. The military operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, was launched under the cover of darkness, with the strikes aimed at terrorist infrastructure from where attacks on Indian soil had been planned and directed.
The Indian Ministry of Defence issued a statement confirming the strikes, stating that the operation was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. "No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted," the statement read. The operation, according to the Indian government, demonstrated restraint in the selection of targets and methods of execution, ensuring that no unnecessary escalation would follow.
The Pahalgam Terror Attack: A Deadly Assault
The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, left 26 civilians dead, mostly tourists, with several others injured. The attack, which has been described as one of the deadliest in the region since 2019, triggered outrage across India and prompted the government to take decisive action against terror groups operating from across the border.
Pakistan's Response and Ceasefire Violations
Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan has pledged to retaliate, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warning that India’s actions could lead to military strikes along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. Pakistani troops have continued to violate the ceasefire along the LoC, marking the 12th consecutive night of cross-border firing in sectors opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, also issued a statement indicating that Pakistan would respond with "full military might" if its sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened.
Mock Civil Defence Drills and Security Review
In response to the growing tensions, the Indian government has ordered mock civil defence drills across 244 districts, categorizing them as civil defence areas. The drills, which began on May 7, are part of a broader plan to bolster preparedness at the grassroots level following the Pahalgam attack. The Union Home Ministry's directive came after high-level security reviews in Delhi, where Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and top military officials briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the operational readiness of India's armed forces.
Global Reactions and the Path Forward
As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to rise, international actors have urged both countries to engage in dialogue. The United Nations Security Council has called for restraint, urging both nations to avoid further escalation. However, with Pakistan’s continued ceasefire violations and India’s determination to address cross-border terrorism, the situation remains volatile.
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