In the dead of night on Wednesday, India launched a calculated and symbolic strike on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), under the codename ‘Operation Sindoor’. This precision-led mission targeted terror infrastructures linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, marking India’s direct response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on April 22.
The strike was reportedly monitored overnight by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underlining the gravity of the mission and its political backing at the highest level.
Why the name Operation Sindoor?
The codename ‘Sindoor’ carries deep cultural and emotional significance. Sindoor is the red vermilion traditionally worn by married Hindu women, symbolizing life and protection. According to sources, the name is a deliberate and poignant reference to the massacre of men in the Pahalgam attack—many of whom were allegedly asked their names before being shot—suggesting a targeted killing rooted in faith and identity.
India’s retaliation, therefore, was both militarily strategic and emotionally symbolic. By naming the operation Sindoor, India aimed to underline both vengeance and justice, while reaffirming the nation’s commitment to protecting its people and values.
Strategic and symbolic targets
Among the nine high-value targets hit were:
- Muridke, the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, accused of orchestrating the Pahalgam killings.
- Bahawalpur, home to JeM’s leadership, including Masood Azhar.
- Camps in Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoJK.
India emphasized that no civilian or military installations were targeted—only terror-linked infrastructure—making it a focused counter-terror operation. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed Indian strikes in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.
A broader message
The operation evokes memories of 2019’s Balakot airstrikes, codenamed Operation Bandar, which targeted JeM camps post-Pulwama. Operation Sindoor is seen as a continuation of India’s evolving doctrine of proactive counter-terror response, signaling to adversaries that such attacks will not go unanswered.
India’s official statement reinforced this: “We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack will be held accountable.”
With the region now on high alert and global powers watching closely, Operation Sindoor not only served its tactical purpose but also delivered a loud and unmistakable message: India will act—symbolically, strategically, and decisively—against terror.
