KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant escalation of hostilities, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” a series of precision strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was in direct response to the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The aftermath saw Pakistan retaliate with artillery shelling in Poonch and Tangdhar sectors, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

The Catalyst: Pahalgam Terror Attack

On April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam led to the death of 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists. The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. Indian intelligence agencies traced the origins of this attack to terrorist camps operating in Pakistan and PoK.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Calculated Response

In the early hours of May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces executed Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and PoK. The operation involved 24 precision missile strikes over a span of 25 minutes. Key targets included strongholds of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Muridke and Bahawalpur, respectively. Indian authorities reported the elimination of over 70 terrorists and significant damage to the operational capabilities of these groups.

Pakistan’s Retaliation: Civilian Areas Targeted

Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan responded with heavy artillery shelling in the Poonch and Tangdhar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. This unprovoked aggression led to the death of 15 civilians and injuries to 43 others. Notably, a gurdwara in Poonch was struck, resulting in the deaths of three Sikh devotees. The shelling caused extensive damage to residential areas, prompting evacuations and widespread fear among the local population.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts

The international community expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Russia urged both nations to exercise restraint and engage in diplomatic dialogue to prevent further escalation.

The recent events underscore the fragile nature of peace in the region and the dire consequences of cross-border terrorism. While India’s Operation Sindoor was a targeted response to a specific threat, Pakistan’s indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas has drawn widespread condemnation. The need for sustained diplomatic engagement and stringent counter-terrorism measures has never been more critical.