Operation Sindoor
Context, Conduct, and Strategic Significance
Operation Sindoor was India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025, in which 26 civilians (mostly tourists) were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. On May 7, 2025, India launched precision missile and air strikes on nine terror infrastructure targets — launchpads, training camps, and headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir.
The strikes lasted approximately 25 minutes (01:05 to 01:30 IST) and were India's most significant offensive military action against Pakistani territory since the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Over 100 terrorists were reported killed. The operation was followed by days of border skirmishes and drone strikes before a ceasefire was agreed at 1700 hours IST on May 10, 2025, following Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks.
- Operation Sindoor specifically targeted non-state actor infrastructure, not Pakistani military or civilian installations — a deliberate signalling choice
- Weapons used: Rafale jets with SCALP cruise missiles (range ~250 km) and AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs; reportedly also BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles
- India's "escalation dominance" strategy: strike first and precisely, then demonstrate readiness to de-escalate — forcing the adversary to the negotiating table rather than into further escalation
- The operation was named "Sindoor" (vermillion, the mark worn by married Hindu women) as a tribute to the widows of the Pahalgam victims
- International response: US, France, and most Western nations broadly supported India's right to self-defence; China called for restraint; Pakistan denied its territory was used by terrorists
● Tracked since February 27, 2026 · last seen June 11, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes