India Strikes Terror Targets in Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack

New Delhi, India – India launched a series of airstrikes against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) early on May 7th, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

The strikes, codenamed Operation Sindoor, came two weeks after a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 people, including tourists and a pony ride operator, were killed. The Resistance Front, a proxy of the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.

India’s Ministry of Defence stated that the operation was a focused and measured response, targeting terror infrastructure and specifically avoiding any Pakistani military installations. The strikes were conducted by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, marking the first combined tri-series operation since the 1971 war.

Targets and Response

Indian officials confirmed that terror bases in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Chak Amru, Bhimber, Gulpur, and Sialkot were targeted. Notably, Muridke houses the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by Hafiz Saeed, while Bahawalpur is the base of Jaish-e-Mohammad.

In response, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border firing and artillery shelling, resulting in the deaths of three civilians in Indian villages along the Line of Control.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary, Director General of ISPR, confirmed that India targeted sites in Pakistan and PoK. He stated that these sites included military installations.

Political Reactions

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh expressed the nation’s sentiment with a tweet, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” while the Indian Army posted on X, stating, “Justice is served. Jai Hind.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes and declared, “Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this act of war imposed by India, and a forceful response is being given.”