India Hits Terror Targets in Pakistan
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, May 07: The Indian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes using advanced weapon systems, including loitering munitions, on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people on April 22.
The Indian military struck selective terror bases in Pakistan and PoK, reportedly from where terrorist attacks were orchestrated, under the codename ‘Operation Sindoor’.
Indian Armed Forces launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed,” India’s Ministry of Defence said.
India Hits Pakistan: What Happened
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.”
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.
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
Targeted Sites In Pakistan, PoK
The Pakistani military confirmed that Indian missiles had struck multiple locations inside Pakistani territory, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad, according to a report by Dawn.
Kashmir Despatch has accessed the first visuals from Muzaffarabad, showing a building reduced to rubble following an Indian airstrike that reportedly targeted a terror base in retaliation for the recent deadly attack in Pahalgam.
Meanwhile, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif said that Indian strikes targeted five locations in the country, adding that Islamabad will respond to the strikes with full force.
Moments after Indian missiles targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of Operation Sindoor, US President Donald Trump responded, expressing hope that the conflict would “end very quickly.”
“It’s a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking in the doors of the oval. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time. They’ve been fighting for many, many decades. And centuries, actually, if you think about it. I hope it ends very quickly,” Trump said.
Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
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, 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.
