In a decisive response to the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, the Indian armed forces on Wednesday launched a calibrated counteroffensive named Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the targeted strikes were “focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature,” specifically avoiding Pakistani military infrastructure. The statement emphasized India’s strategic restraint, underscoring that "no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted."
The Ministry added, “Altogether, nine (9) sites have been targeted. Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”
This measured action, the ministry noted, was aligned with India’s pledge to ensure accountability for the “barbaric” Pahalgam killings.
The April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region marked one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in recent years, drawing widespread condemnation across the country. The victims, including a Nepali tourist, were reportedly ambushed in a carefully planned assault carried out by suspected cross-border terrorists.
Operation Sindoor, named after the sacred red powder symbolizing honor and sacrifice in Indian tradition, signals a renewed assertion of India’s counter-terror strategy — one that seeks to punish perpetrators without provoking broader conflict.
While the exact locations of the targeted sites remain undisclosed for strategic reasons, defence officials hinted that high-value terrorist infrastructure and launch pads were neutralized during the operation.
A detailed briefing on Operation Sindoor is expected later today, which will shed further light on the objectives and outcomes of the mission.
With this action, India has sent a clear message: those who orchestrate terror on Indian soil will be met with swift and decisive justice — no safe havens, no impunity.
