Here is a detailed discussion—supported by data and reports—on India’s Operation Sindoor, launched against terrorist groups and hideouts inside Pakistan:
Why did India attack Pakistan? And Why are India Pakistan going to War?
India is a South Asian country, geographically located in the southern part of the Asian continent. It is surrounded by several neighboring countries, including Pakistan, which separated from India on August 14, 1947.
According to Indian Standard Time (IST), India carried out a missile strike on its neighboring country, Pakistan, at approximately 1:44 AM on May 7th. There are several reasons behind this air strike. Let’s take a detailed look at them:
Justice is Served.
Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/Aruatj6OfA
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 6, 2025
01. Pahalgam Terror Attack:
On April 22, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, a group of terrorists opened fire in the Baisaran Valley at the popular tourist destination Pahalgam. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen. The responsibility for this terrorist act was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a group backed by Pakistan. This attack plunged the entire Kashmir region into a state of serious crisis.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of India, over 20 million (2 crore) tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir last year. However, following this attack, the region’s entire economy has come to a standstill, and many local residents are now facing unemployment.
02. Historical Reason:
India has long been a victim of terrorism. From the 2001 Parliament attack to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the country has faced numerous serious threats. One of the most significant incidents was the 2019 Pulwama attack, in which 40 Indian soldiers were martyred. Events like these are major reasons why India is determined to root out Pakistan-backed terrorism once and for all.
Along the entire India-Pakistan border, there are reportedly over 20 terrorist camps operating within Pakistan. These camps provide training to militants who then engage in radicalized activities against India. Pakistani terror groups—whether it’s Lashkar-e-Taiba or various Mujahideen factions—have consistently posed serious threats to India’s border security and have heightened national security concerns.
03. Zero Tolerance for Terrorism:
One of the main reasons India launched missiles at nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan was to eliminate terrorism and send a strong message to the world: India will never tolerate a cowardly and brutal attack like the one in Pahalgam. This action also aligns with India’s national policy of Zero Tolerance for Terrorism.
After the Pahalgam attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “We will not tolerate this any longer. Those who demonstrated cowardly brutality in the Pahalgam attack and took the lives of innocent people will now be crushed and eliminated completely.”
Operation Sindoor:
The strike carried out on May 7, 2025, was executed by India under Operation Sindoor. By successfully conducting this operation, the Indian Army reaffirmed three key points:
- A) India will now take direct and decisive action against terrorism.
B) The operation exposed significant vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defense systems.
C) India is fully committed to enforcing its Zero Tolerance Policy against terrorism in every possible way.
The world must show zero tolerance for terrorism. #OperationSindoor pic.twitter.com/dmcCLfbMjN
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 7, 2025
Bahawalpur:
India’s response and Operation Sindoor have brought significant attention to a location in Pakistan—Bahawalpur. This is because it is believed to be home to one of the largest and most crucial terrorist camps supported by Pakistan, and it is also considered the southernmost terrorist camp site in the country. It is speculated that Masood Azhar, the leader of the banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, was born here. Additionally, Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, is also believed to have a strong presence in this area.
In its press briefing, the Indian government clarified that the operation was not an attack on Pakistan, but rather a retaliation against terrorism. The government emphasized that India does not seek war with Pakistan, but rather, India’s fight is against Pakistan-supported terrorism. The stance is clear: India aims to eliminate terrorism and not engage in conflict with the Pakistani state itself.
Pakistan Retaliation:
In response to India’s missile attack, Pakistan has announced a retaliation program, claiming to target nine locations. As part of this, the Pakistani military conducted indiscriminate firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) region. According to reports, this firing resulted in the deaths of around seven Indian civilians.
Is India Part of NATO?
India has never been a part of any military alliance, which is why it also led the Non-Aligned Movement. In simple terms, India is not a member of NATO, and neither is Pakistan. However, despite not being part of any such alliances, the USA, Russia, and European countries continue to support India in various matters.
India’s Diplomacy:
India has always followed a policy of no first use (NFU) when it comes to nuclear weapons. This means India has committed not to be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict. The Balakot air strike, the Uri surgical strike, and the missile strikes under Operation Sindoor all fall within the scope of retaliatory actions rather than first strikes.
The entire world continues to battle terrorism, whether it’s the 9/11 attack on the USA, or other global instances of terrorism. These attacks highlight the persistent challenge that terrorism poses, affecting nations around the world.