India avenges Pahalgam attack with strikes against Pakistan; here’s what happened overnight
Suhail Khan
‘Bharat’ is back in happy mode a morethan week after the deadliest terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam valley of southern Kashmir. India avenged the blood of the innocent by carrying out 24 precision missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Muridke and Bahawalpur—strongholds of the terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, respectively—in the early hours of Wednesday.
The strikes, conducted at 1:44 AM, were in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir’s Anantnag district, which claimed 26 lives—25 Indians and one Nepali citizen.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Defence confirmed targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, “from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.”
“Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities were targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and the method of execution,” the statement added.
The Defence Ministry emphasized that India is upholding its commitment to holding those responsible for the attack accountable.
India’s strikes came hours before a planned nationwide security mock drill across 244 districts for “effective civil defence in the event of a hostile attack.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to pursue the perpetrators and conspirators of the attack “to the ends of the earth” to deliver punishment “beyond their imagination.”
Amid Operation Sindoor, A Look at the History of India-Pakistan Armed Conflict
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched coordinated missile strikes early Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The multi-branch military action, conducted under Operation Sindoor, came two weeks after the killing of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, accusing Islamabad of backing the deadliest terrorist operation in years against civilians in Kashmir on April 22.
This latest action adds to a long history of military conflicts between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Here are some key clashes:
- 1947: First War Over Kashmir Post-Partition
- 1965: Second War Over Kashmir
- 1971: War Over Bangladesh
- 1999: Kargil War
- 2016: Uri Attack
- 2019: Pulwama Attack
PM Modi Chose the Name for India’s Pahalgam Counterstrike: ‘Operation Sindoor’
According to sources, the name Operation Sindoor was chosen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday morning in response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. The operation involved missile strikes on nine terror bases in Pakistan and PoK.
Operation Sindoor: Home Minister Amit Shah Is “Proud” of Armed Forces
The Narendra Modi government is resolved to deliver a befitting response to any attack on India and its people, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah hours after Indian forces carried out overnight aerial strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. He described the action as India’s “response to the brutal killings” by terrorists in Pahalgam.
Taking to social media, Shah expressed pride in the armed forces and reiterated India’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.
“Proud of our armed forces. Operation Sindoor is Bharat’s response to the brutal killing of our innocent brothers in Pahalgam. The Modi government is resolved to give a befitting response to any attack on India and its people. Bharat remains firmly committed to eradicating terrorism from its roots,” Shah stated.
Meanwhile, people across the country are overjoyed, and their happy faces reflect the nation’s satisfaction with the retaliation.
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, a group of citizens celebrating India’s strikes emphasized the importance of sending a strong message to Pakistan.
“This was necessary to show Pakistan that we will no longer tolerate their interference in our land or allow them to disrupt peace in Kashmir,” they said. “Despite repeated warnings, Pakistan has been desperate to destabilize the region. This strike sends a clear message that India will not tolerate their tactics, especially when they endanger the lives of Kashmiris.”
Samad, a local resident of Uri, told Kashmir Despatch, “We are in happy mode now after our brave army struck our enemies. The Josh is high!”
Another group reacted to the strikes, saying, “We ultimately want an end to this conflict, but this time, it was crucial to show Pakistan that Bharat will no longer accept their dirty tactics aimed at destabilizing Jammu and Kashmir.”
They added, “We are still recovering from the trauma of the attack on our guests in Pahalgam, but today, we feel a sense of justice.”
Meanwhile, according to official details, seven people, including a woman and two children, were killed, and 38 others were injured on Wednesday as the Pakistan Army pounded dozens of forward villages with artillery and mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
All seven deaths were reported in the worst-hit Poonch district, with another 25 people injured, officials said. Ten others were injured in the Uri sector of Baramulla district, and three more were injured in Rajouri district.
In view of the prevailing security situation following the recent cross-border shelling, the Divisional Commissioner of Jammu has announced that all schools, colleges, and other educational institutions in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch districts will remain closed today.
Similarly, the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across Baramulla and Kupwara districts, the Gurez Valley, as well as schools near Srinagar Airport.
Authorities have also announced that no civilian flights will operate from Srinagar Airport today as a precautionary measure.
Residents have been urged to remain alert, stay calm, and follow official advisories for their safety.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha assessed the situation in the border districts of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) earlier this morning in a meeting with senior administrative, police, and district officials, including the Deputy Commissioners of all border districts.
The Lieutenant Governor is closely monitoring the situation and reiterated that the government is fully prepared to handle any eventuality.
“We will ensure the safety of every citizen,” he said.
He has also directed the Deputy Commissioners to relocate villagers from vulnerable areas to safer locations, ensuring proper boarding, lodging, food, medical care, and transportation arrangements.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Lieutenant Governor stated:
“Took stock of the situation in border districts of J&K UT with all the senior administrative, police & district officials, including DCs of all the border districts. I’m closely monitoring the situation, & the govt is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality. I’ve also directed the DCs to shift villagers from vulnerable areas to safer locations and ensure boarding, lodging, food, medical care, and transportation. We will ensure the safety of every citizen.”
Earleir, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a high-level meeting to assess the security situation and overall preparedness along the border and Line of Control (LoC).
The meeting focused on safeguarding civilian lives amid heightened tensions and ensuring prompt responses to emerging threats.
Officials emphasized strengthening border infrastructure, enhancing coordination between civil and security agencies, and improving communication systems in vulnerable areas.
Chief Minister Abdullah directed officials to remain vigilant and proactive, particularly in forward villages, to maintain peace and public confidence.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to the welfare of border residents and instructed district administrations to be fully prepared for any contingency. The Chief Minister also reviewed relief and rehabilitation measures for affected families.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
