Operation Sindoor, Terror Sites, Significance, Key Highlights

May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor targets 9 Terror Sites in Pakistan & POK, in response Pahalgam Terror Attack with air & missile strikes aims to eliminate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Operation Sindoor

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.

Also Read: War Mock Drill

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

  1. 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.
  2. Forces Involved: The operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
  3. Method: The strikes were executed using advanced precision-guided weapon systems, all launched from within Indian territory.
  4. Operation Sindoor Nature: Described as focused, calibrated, and non-escalatory, the mission specifically avoided engaging any Pakistani military infrastructure.
  5. 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

Operation Cactus

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

Operation Rahat

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

Operation Sankat Mochan

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

Operation Devi Shakti

Afghanistan – Evacuation during Taliban takeover

2022

Indian Army

Operation Ganga

Ukraine – Student evacuation amid Russia-Ukraine war and Air support in evacuation

2023

Indian Air Force

Operation Dost

Turkey & Syria – Earthquake rescue mission

2024

All Forces

Operation Sindoor

Pakistan & POK-Operation in response to Pahalgam Terror Attack

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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?+

Tags: Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor key highlights

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