India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate – Operation Sindoor

Background:

  • The escalation began after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam (J&K) on May 5, which killed 26 Hindu pilgrims and injured dozens.

  • Intelligence reports traced the attackers to terror groups operating from Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

India Responds: Operation Sindoor

  • On May 7, the Indian Air Force carried out pre-dawn precision strikes targeting 9 terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK.

  • The strikes were reportedly conducted using drones, fighter jets, and ground-based missiles.

  • India claims:

    • All targets were successfully destroyed.

    • Over 100 militants and facilitators were killed.

      Pakistan’s Reaction:

      • Pakistan’s military claimed:

        • Five Indian jets were shot down (India has denied this).

        • Several civilian casualties occurred due to the strikes.

      • Pakistan responded with cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara, Rajouri, and Poonch.

 

Political Reactions:

  • An all-party meeting, chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, was held in New Delhi to brief political leaders.

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation, stating:

    “India will not tolerate terrorism. Our patience is not our weakness.”

  • Pakistan’s Prime Minister condemned the strikes and warned of “appropriate retaliation.”

Civil Impact:

  • Mock air raid drills were conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Jaipur.

  • Civil defense sirens and blackouts were tested in major cities.

  • Schools near the LoC have been closed, and thousands of civilians are being relocated to safer zones.