India has initiated Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack that killed 26 civilians, including many tourists and eradicated the terrorism. The operation took place in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where the forces destroyed Nine Terror Linked Sites which resulted in Pakistan placing its air force on high alert. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are the two groups frequently accused of sponsoring terror attacks in India.
Operation Sindoor
On May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precision air and missile strikes targeting Nine Terror Linked Sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. This operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam Terror Attack on April 22, where 26 civilians, including 25 Indians and one Nepali tourist, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), with India attributing its support to Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor Significance
India’s Ministry of Defence described Operation Sindoor as a “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” mission aimed solely at dismantling terrorist infrastructure. The strikes deliberately avoided Pakistani military installations and were conducted based on precise intelligence to minimize civilian casualties. The operation lasted approximately 23 minutes, utilizing Rafale jets equipped with SCALP, HAMMER Missile and Kamikaze Drones.
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Operation Sindoor Terror Sites
The Operation Sindoor took place on 7th May 2025, affecting 9 location as the Terror Sites, Below is the list shared of the List of Sites Hit in Operation Sindoor, including, 4 location in the territory of Pakistan whereas 5 within the region of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir:
Operation Sindoor Terror Sites | |
Location |
Function / Affiliation |
Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur |
Jaish-e-Mohammed Headquarters |
Markaz Taiba, Muridke |
Lashkar-e-Taiba Base |
Mehmoona Joya, Sialkot |
Hizbul Mujahideen Camp |
Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala |
LeT-linked Religious Indoctrination Hub |
Syedna Bilal Camp, Muzaffarabad |
Jaish-e-Mohammed Training Centre |
Shwawai Nalla Camp, Muzaffarabad |
Lashkar-e-Taiba Operations Unit |
Makaz Raheel Shahid, Kotli |
Hizbul Mujahideen Centre |
Markaz Abbas, Kotli |
JeM Safehouse |
Sarjal Facility, Tehra Kalan |
Weapons and IED Storage |
Operation Sindoor Key Highlights
- Target: A total of Nine Terror Linked Sites were struck, including key facilities belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Muridke.
- Forces Involved: The operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
- Method: The strikes were executed using advanced precision-guided weapon systems, all launched from within Indian territory.
- Operation Sindoor Nature: Described as focused, calibrated, and non-escalatory, the mission specifically avoided engaging any Pakistani military infrastructure.
- Justification: India stated that the operation was part of its commitment to ensuring accountability for the terrorist behind the Pahalgam attack.
Weapons Involved in Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor involved the use of modern, high-precision weapons by the Indian Armed Forces. These weapons were chosen to ensure accurate strikes with minimal damage to civilians or property. The Indian Air Force (IAF) used advanced systems like SCALP Cruise Missiles, HAMMER Bombs, and Loitering Munitions. The below table discusses the specifications of the Weapons Involved in Operation Sindoor:
Weapons Involved in Operation Sindoor | ||||
Weapon System |
Manufacturer |
Type / Role |
Key Features / Use Case |
Launch Platform / Functionality |
SCALP Cruise Missile |
MBDA (European defense consortium) |
Long-range, air-launched cruise missile |
Precision strikes on high-value, fortified targets; used in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Ukraine |
Deployed from fighter aircraft (e.g., Rafale) |
HAMMER Munition |
Safran Electronics & Defense (France) |
Precision-guided modular munition |
Multi-guidance (GPS, infrared, laser); ideal for mobile or concealed targets |
Air-launched, adaptable for tactical strikes |
Loitering Munitions |
Various (generic term) |
Kamikaze drone / loitering weapon |
Hover capability; real-time surveillance and autonomous strike; low detectability and high cost-efficiency |
Unmanned aerial system with autonomous function |
Operation Sindoor Consequences
- Srinagar Airport has been shut down completely. No commercial flights are operating from the airfield.
- Airports in Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner are all suspended or disrupted.
- Several flights have been cancelled or diverted due to restricted airspace and security protocols following the strikes.
- IndiGo Airlines has issued an advisory for travelers flying to/from affected cities, urging them to check flight status before heading to airports.
- SpiceJet has suspended operations at:
- Dharamshala (DHM)
- Leh (IXL)
- Jammu (IXJ)
- Srinagar (SXR)
- Amritsar (ATQ)
- Air India has halted flights from Pune and Amritsar temporarily.
- Qatar Airways has announced the temporary suspension of flights to Pakistan due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.
Also Read: India Pakistan Relations
List of Military Operations of India
There are various operation took place in Indian History which showcases the courage and dedication of the forces, Below shared is the List of Military Operations of India:
List of Military Operations of India | |||
Year |
Force |
Operation Name |
Location / Objective |
1948 |
Indian Army |
Operation Polo |
Hyderabad – Integration of princely state |
1961 |
Indian Army |
Operation Vijay |
Goa, Daman & Diu – Liberation from Portuguese rule |
1961 |
Indian Air Force |
Operation during Congo Crisis |
United Nations peacekeeping mission |
1971 |
Indian Army |
Operation Steeplechase |
Red Corridor – Anti-Naxalite operation |
1971 |
Indian Navy |
Operation Trident |
Karachi – Naval attack on Pakistan during 1971 war |
1971 |
Indian Navy |
Operation Python |
Follow-up attack on Karachi |
1971 |
Indian Air Force |
Operation Meghna Heli Bridge |
Bangladesh – Tactical airlift to support ground troops |
1971 |
Indian Air Force |
Tangail Airdrop |
Bangladesh – Airdrop behind enemy lines |
1984 |
Indian Army |
Operation Blue Star |
Punjab – Removal of militants from Golden Temple |
1987 |
Indian Army |
Operation Pawan |
Sri Lanka – Indian Peace Keeping Force deployment |
1988 |
Indian Navy |
Maldives – Thwarting a coup attempt |
|
1988 |
Indian Air Force |
Operation Cactus |
Maldives – Airlift for troop movement |
1999 |
Indian Navy |
Operation Talwar |
Blockade of Karachi Port during Kargil conflict |
1999 |
Indian Air Force |
Operation Safed Sagar |
Kargil War – Strategic air support |
1999 |
Indian Air Force |
Atlantique Incident |
Shot down Pakistani surveillance aircraft |
2003 |
Indian Army |
Operation Sarp Vinash |
Jammu & Kashmir – Major anti-terrorist operation |
2008 |
Indian Army |
Operation Black Tornado |
Mumbai – Response to 26/11 terrorist attack |
2013 |
Indian Air Force |
Uttarakhand – Rescue during massive floods |
|
2015 |
Indian Army |
Myanmar Counter-Insurgency |
Myanmar – Surgical strike on militants |
2015 |
Indian Air Force |
Operation Maitri |
Nepal – Earthquake relief mission |
2015 |
Indian Navy |
Operation Raahat |
Yemen – Evacuation during conflict |
2016 |
Indian Army |
Operation Calm Down |
Jammu & Kashmir – Anti-militancy operation |
2016 |
Indian Air Force |
South Sudan – Evacuation during civil war |
|
2017 |
Indian Air Force |
Operation Insaniyat |
Bangladesh – Humanitarian aid for Rohingya refugees |
2018 |
Indian Navy |
Operation Madad |
Kerala – Rescue during floods |
2018 |
Indian Navy |
Operation Nistar |
Yemen – Rescue during Cyclone Mekunu |
2019 |
Indian Air Force |
Operation Bandar |
Balakot – Air strike post Pulwama attack |
2020 |
Indian Navy |
Operation Samudra Setu |
COVID-19 – Repatriation mission |
2020 |
Indian Army |
Operation Randori Behak |
Jammu & Kashmir – Encounter operation |
2021 |
Indian Army |
Afghanistan – Evacuation during Taliban takeover |
|
2022 |
Indian Army |
Ukraine – Student evacuation amid Russia-Ukraine war and Air support in evacuation |
|
2023 |
Indian Air Force |
Turkey & Syria – Earthquake rescue mission |
|
2024 |
All Forces |
Operation Sindoor |
Pakistan & POK-Operation in response to Pahalgam Terror Attack |
Last updated on May, 2025
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Operation Sindoor FAQs
Q1. What is Operation Sindoor?+
Q2. What are the Missiles used during Operation Sindoor?+
Q3. What are the Nine Terror Sites of attack during Operation Sindoor?+
Q4. Which force was incharge during the Balakot Operation?+
Q5. Who claimed the Pahalgam Terror Attack?+