India has conducted a series of precision missile strikes on multiple locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The operation, codenamed “Operation Sindoor,” was launched in retaliation for the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists, were killed in an attack claimed by The Resistance Front, a group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the strikes targeted nine sites identified as terrorist infrastructure, deliberately avoiding Pakistani military installations to prevent further escalation. The ministry reported that 17 militants were killed and 60 injured in the operation. However, Pakistani authorities reported that the strikes resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians, including a child, and injured 12 others. Pakistan condemned the attacks as an unprovoked “act of war” and claimed to have shot down two Indian fighter jets in response.
The strikes have intensified military activities along the Line of Control, with both sides engaging in artillery exchanges. Pakistan has closed its airspace for 48 hours and declared a state of emergency in Punjab. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened the National Security Committee, vowing a strong response to what he termed a “shameful and cowardly attack.”
The international community has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump stated, “We just heard about it as we were walking in the doors of the Oval. I guess we knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past.” He expressed hope that the situation would “end very quickly.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for restraint from both nations, emphasizing the catastrophic risks of a military confrontation between nuclear-armed states.
In India, the government has initiated nationwide emergency preparedness measures. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced “Operation Abhyaas,” a civil defence mock drill scheduled for May 7, involving 244 districts. The exercise aims to bolster civilian readiness against potential hostile threats and includes activities such as air-raid siren tests, blackout simulations, and evacuation drills. Major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad are participating in the drill.
The Indian Air Force has also been conducting “Exercise Aakraman,” a military exercise aimed at enhancing operational readiness and offensive capabilities. The exercise involves sophisticated aerial missions, including precision ground attacks and electronic warfare, across diverse terrains to mimic real-world conflict scenarios. The IAF’s frontline combat fleet, including Dassault Rafale multirole fighter aircraft and Sukhoi Su-30MKI, are participating in the exercise.
Operation Sindoor Targets Terror Sites in Pakistan 