Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed forces on 7 May 2025 in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Pahalgam Terror Attack
TRF, a proxy of the Pakistan backed UN Proscribed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) carried out the dastardly attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir on 22 April 2025 in which 26 innocent people were killed (25 Indian nationals and 1 Nepali national). This attack in Pahalgam, resulted in the largest civilian casualty in a terrorist attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which were also carried out by the LeT.
Responding to cross border terrorism
- An important decision taken by the Government of India on 23 April 2025 was that The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. On the morning of 07 May 2025, India exercised its right to respond and pre-empt as well as deter more cross-border attacks.
- The actions taken by the Indian armed forces were measured, non-escalatory, precise, proportionate, and decisive. They focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India. Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted.
- India’s message was clear that through Operation Sindoor, the targets were terror nodes in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Nine (9) important targets were struck by the Indian Armed Forces as part of Op Sindoor. Among these, three (3) were important: Bahawalpur (JeM), Muridke (LeT) and Muzzafrabad. All three, have had a long history associated with anti India groups and terrorists (JeM and LeT).
Escalation by Pakistan
- The Government’s intention through Op Sindoor was to convey to those inimical to India that ‘no place is safe for you’. It was also made clear to Pakistan that any provocation will be responded to by India appropriately. Subsequently, Pakistan launched targeted attacks against military and civilian areas where several lives were lost. India had no choice but to respond. The Indian Armed Forces launched retaliatory strikes on major bases of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) subsequently. The damage caused by Indian armed forces was seen by the entire world through the satellite images of the PAF bases.
Cessation of firing and Military activities
- Through the valiant actions of the Indian Armed Forces, the morale of those who support cross border terrorism in Pakistan including the Military was broken. This was reflected in the Pak DGMO calling Indiam DGMO and requesting for cessation of firing and military activities.
Strengthening Global Fight Against Terrorism
UN
- As part of India’s efforts after the terror attack in Pahalgam and Op Sindoor, in the 36th Report of the Monitoring Team of the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee (MT) published in July 2025, a paragraph was included on the Pahalgam terrorist attack, along with a reference to TRF. All decisions of the 1267 Sanctions Committee, including MT reports, are adopted by consensus.
Global Outreach
- As part of India’s global outreach, 7 Parliamentary Delegations representing all political parties visited 33 countries including Liberia to convey India’s position of zero tolerance for terrorism and its intention to act against any act of terror against Indian citizens. These groups consisted of 59 MPs including 20 from parties in the opposition.
The Parliamentary Delegation that visited Liberia from 31 May to 2 June 2025, was led by Member of Parliament Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde. The delegation called on H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of Liberia and met with their counterpart Parliamentarians in the Liberian Senate and House of Representatives. In a gesture of solidarity, Hon’ble Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, President Pro-Tempore of the Senate and Hon’ble Richard Nagbe Koon, Speaker of the House of Representatives, led the parliamentarians in observing a moment of silence in memory of the victims. The Liberian leadership reiterated its strong support for India’s principled response through Operation Sindoor and emphasized the importance of unified international efforts to combat terrorism.
- Exhibition on the Human Cost of Terrorism was organized at 17 countries around the world including at the UN and US Congress (Capitol Hill). The exhibition at the US Congress received bipartisan support and was attended 19 Members of the US Congress.
- In July 2025, TRF was designated by the United States of America as a Foreign terrorist Organisation (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)
Operation Sindoor has carved out a new benchmark in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism and has created a new normal.
India will continue to take decisive actions to protect its citizens from any threat.
