Pakistan Reacts to Operation Sindoor: Vows Retaliation on Its Own Terms After India’s Decisive Strikes

KKN Gurugram Desk | Following India’s bold and targeted military action under Operation Sindoor, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated once again. While India struck nine key terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—destroying the infrastructure of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba—Pakistan has responded with a mix of denial, propaganda, and threats.

The Pakistan military spokesperson, visibly rattled by the success of the Indian strike, acknowledged the casualties but claimed they were “civilians,” accusing India of damaging religious sites. However, sources confirm that nearly 70 terrorists, including Masood Azhar’s close family members, were eliminated. Pakistan has now issued a stern warning, vowing to retaliate, but on its own terms, time, and place.

This article offers a complete analysis of Pakistan’s reaction, India’s strategic strike, the actual damage inflicted on terror outfits, and the current geopolitical climate following Operation Sindoor.

India’s Operation Sindoor: A Precision Strike on Terror Camps

On the night of May 6-7, 2025, India’s Armed Forces carried out a coordinated missile strike against nine high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan and PoK. These targets were identified as operational and training hubs of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—both of which have orchestrated deadly attacks on Indian soil, including the recent Pahalgam massacre, which claimed 26 civilian lives.

According to Indian defense officials, the strikes were surgical, intelligence-led, and highly targeted, with an aim to eliminate terrorists without causing civilian harm. One of the prime targets was Jaish-e-Mohammad’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, which also housed the Al-Sabir madrasa and Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah—alleged to be fronts for terrorist training.

Pakistan’s Official Reaction: Denial, Deflection, and Threats

The Pakistan Army spokesperson confirmed that casualties occurred due to Indian missile strikes but labeled them as “common civilians.” In what is widely seen as an attempt to spin the narrative, the Pakistani military claimed that several mosques were also damaged in the attack, including the Subhan Allah Masjid in Bahawalpur.

Speaking to local media, the spokesperson stated:

“We will respond to this aggression. But the time, place, and method will be of our choosing.”

This statement—clearly designed to project strength—also reveals Pakistan’s discomfort and diplomatic isolation following the Indian action. While it attempts to portray India as the aggressor, global reactions have so far leaned in favor of India’s right to self-defense against cross-border terrorism.

The Propaganda War: Civilians or Terrorists?

While Pakistan claims that the Indian strikes killed civilians and damaged mosques, Indian military sources have firmly denied this, stating that the operation was surgical and focused exclusively on known terror facilities.

The confirmed deaths of Masood Azhar’s family members—including his wife, son, and sister—alongside close JeM operatives, further validate India’s claim. Indian intelligence agencies also highlighted that these facilities had long been used for recruiting and training terrorists, not for any civil or religious activities.

According to a BBC Urdu report, the Subhan Allah complex and the Al-Sabir madrasa inside the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur were key centers for planning operations like Pulwama. The report further stated that Masood Azhar himself admitted the death of 10 of his family members in the Indian strike and was reportedly devastated, stating:

“It would’ve been better had I died with them.”

Masood Azhar’s Breakdown: A Mastermind in Distress

For years, Masood Azhar has been the face of cross-border terrorism, responsible for attacks like Pulwama, Pathankot, and the Parliament attack. His organization, Jaish-e-Mohammad, has flourished with backing from elements within the Pakistani establishment.

However, following Operation Sindoor, Azhar reportedly broke down emotionally, grieving the loss of his family. This personal loss has weakened the morale of Jaish and exposed its vulnerability when faced with targeted Indian military action.

The symbolic and strategic importance of this hit cannot be overstated. The Indian strike not only neutralized militants but also psychologically destabilized a key terror figure.

Damage at Bahawalpur: A Blow to JeM’s Operations

The airstrikes on the Bahawalpur headquarters of JeM were perhaps the most significant part of Operation Sindoor. Located strategically along the N-5 highway, the complex included residential areas for leaders, training grounds, and planning facilities.

According to Pakistani reports, at least 13 individuals died in the Bahawalpur strike alone. Indian agencies, however, estimate a higher number, possibly closer to 25, considering the structure’s size and intelligence on active operatives present during the strike.

The destruction of this facility will severely hamper JeM’s ability to regroup, train, and execute attacks in the near future. This blow, coupled with the elimination of top operatives, has disrupted the terror chain that had been operating with near impunity.

Geopolitical Implications: India’s Strategic Messaging

India’s message through Operation Sindoor is clear: terrorism will be met with military retaliation, and any attack on Indian civilians will not go unanswered. The decision to carry out the strike with surgical precision, and to avoid Pakistani military installations, showcases India’s strategic maturity and intent to avoid full-scale war while neutralizing threats.

On the international front, India’s action has drawn a relatively balanced response. Several countries have acknowledged India’s right to self-defense, while also urging both nations to exercise restraint and avoid escalation.

Pakistan, on the other hand, finds itself in a diplomatically isolated position, trying to manage the fallout from the strike while dealing with internal pressure and external scrutiny.

What’s Next? Tensions Remain High

As Pakistan vows retaliation “on its own terms,” Indian defense forces remain on high alert. Border regions have been fortified, and intelligence operations are on overdrive to detect any cross-border movement or attempts at escalation.

Meanwhile, India continues to monitor Pakistan’s military and diplomatic movements, prepared for any response while maintaining its stance that the strike was a defensive measure in the interest of national security.

Operation Sindoor could mark a turning point in how India deals with state-sponsored terrorism. The precision strikes have decimated critical terror infrastructure, weakened leadership like Masood Azhar, and demonstrated India’s military capability and political will.

Pakistan’s vow to “respond at a time and place of its choosing” may be an attempt to save face, but it also reflects the pressure building on Islamabad, both internally and internationally.

For India, the mission sends a strong message—not just to Pakistan but to any actor supporting terrorism: the days of impunity are over.