India Strikes Back: ‘Operation Sindoor’ Targets Terror Camps in Pakistan and PoK

New Delhi: In a sharp escalation of tensions, India launched precision military strikes on nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday under ‘Operation Sindoor’, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali national.

The Indian Army, in an official statement, confirmed that the strikes specifically targeted terrorist infrastructure from where attacks on Indian soil were being orchestrated. “A little while ago, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. These strikes are focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature,” the statement said.

Importantly, the Army clarified that no Pakistani military installations were targeted, underscoring India’s intent to avoid further provocation while delivering a strong message. “India has exercised considerable restraint in selecting targets and in the method of execution,” the Army noted.

The strikes come two weeks after the barbaric attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which led to the deaths of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali tourist. The Indian government has held Pakistan-backed terror groups responsible for the attack, prompting widespread national outrage.

In a high-level security meeting on April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the armed forces full operational freedom to choose the mode, timing, and targets of the response. “We are living up to our commitment that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack will be held accountable,” the Army emphasized.

In response, Pakistan confirmed that three locations had been hit — two in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and one in Bahawalpur, in Punjab province. Islamabad has vowed retaliation, raising concerns of further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

As the most significant cross-border military action in recent years, Operation Sindoor signals a new phase in India’s counterterrorism strategy, with a clear message: terror will be met with decisive force.

Team Maverick