INVC NEWS ISLAMABAD — In a swift and calculated military move, the Indian Armed Forces launched precision air strikes on terror camps situated in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as a retaliatory response to the barbaric massacre of 26 civilians in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The strikes, which form part of ‘Operation Sindoor’, have drawn sharp reactions from Pakistan’s political and military leadership, further straining the already volatile ties between the two nuclear-armed nations.
India Strikes Back: ‘Operation Sindoor’ Targets Terrorist Hideouts
India’s strategic response came just days after Pakistani terrorists carried out one of the most horrifying massacres in recent years, killing 25 Hindu pilgrims and a local driver in Pahalgam. The victims were reportedly asked their religion before being brutally executed, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for an uncompromising retaliation.
In what the Indian defence officials have described as a highly coordinated and intelligence-driven operation, Indian Air Force jets carried out deep precision strikes across the Line of Control, targeting key terror infrastructure in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur.
According to Indian statements, only terrorist launchpads and command centers were hit, and no civilian or Pakistani military assets were targeted, underscoring India’s claim that the operation was a legitimate counter-terrorism measure.
Pakistan Closes Airspace as Military Tensions Soar
As the dust from the strikes settled, Pakistan swiftly responded by suspending all operations at Lahore and Sialkot airports for a minimum of 48 hours, a move that reflects the gravity of the situation. Sources within Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority cited national security concerns and anticipated airspace utilization for military mobilization.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Calls India’s Action an “Attack on Sovereignty”
Reacting to the air strikes, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted a fiery message on social media platform X, accusing India of launching attacks on five separate locations within Pakistan. He stated that Pakistan has every right to respond to such aggression, promising that a “strong and appropriate” response is underway.
The Prime Minister’s tone was both confrontational and nationalistic, appealing to domestic and international audiences while attempting to galvanize internal support amidst rising military and diplomatic pressure.
Pakistan Army Claims Missile Attacks, India Denies Military Targeting
The Pakistan Armed Forces, in an official late-night press briefing, claimed that Indian missiles struck areas in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur, alleging direct targeting of civilian and military zones. However, India categorically denied these claims, asserting that the operation was limited strictly to terrorist strongholds responsible for the planning and orchestration of cross-border terror attacks.
Indian Army spokespersons emphasized that no military installations of Pakistan were touched and insisted that India had acted solely against non-state actors operating with impunity inside Pakistani territory.
Massacre in Pahalgam: A Turning Point in Indo-Pak Relations
The trigger for this military escalation was the horrific killing of 26 people—25 of whom were Hindu tourists—by heavily armed terrorists in Pahalgam. According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers interrogated the victims about their religion, before executing them in cold blood. The attack was quickly linked to terror groups based in Pakistan, with Indian intelligence tracing back the planning and coordination to camps in PoK and Punjab province.
This act of terror has emerged as a national inflection point in India, prompting not just condemnation but a resolute policy shift in the handling of cross-border terrorism.
Ceasefire Violations Reported Along the LoC
The fallout from the air strikes has not been limited to the air. The Indian Army confirmed that Pakistan initiated artillery shelling in the Bhimber Gali region of the Poonch-Rajouri sector, constituting a violation of the ceasefire agreement. The Indian side has reportedly launched retaliatory action, with military exchanges continuing intermittently.
These developments hint at a possible widening of the conflict along the Line of Control, as both nations remain on high military alert.
India’s Air Defence Systems on Full Alert
In anticipation of potential retaliation, India has fully activated its air defence network across the western front. High-level defence officials confirmed the deployment of Akash, SPYDER, and QRSAM missile systems, along with increased combat air patrols by frontline IAF squadrons.
Air bases in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu have been placed on maximum operational readiness, and civilian advisories have been issued in vulnerable districts near the border.
Pakistan Vows to Retaliate at “Time and Place of Its Choosing”
In an official statement issued via the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan declared that it would not let India’s actions go unanswered. The statement referred to the air strikes as a “disgusting provocation”, and vowed that Pakistan would retaliate “at a time and place of its choosing.”
The language of the statement is consistent with previous Pakistani postures during similar confrontations, although analysts believe that Pakistan’s current strategic space to retaliate is limited due to ongoing internal instability and economic pressure.
International Community Urges Restraint
Several global actors, including the United Nations, United States, European Union, and China, have issued statements urging calm and restraint on both sides. While condemning the Pahalgam massacre, most international responses have sought to de-escalate the military situation and return to dialogue-based conflict resolution.
However, Indian diplomatic sources insist that the time for talking with terror sponsors has passed, and firm action is now policy.
India’s Strategic Shift: A Doctrine of Pre-Emptive Action
India’s latest air strike under Operation Sindoor reflects a doctrinal shift towards proactive counter-terrorism. According to strategic analysts, this marks the second major pre-emptive air strike by India in recent years, the first being the Balakot strike in 2019 following the Pulwama attack.
The Indian security establishment believes that neutralizing terror launchpads before they can execute attacks is the only viable strategy in dealing with state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil.
Conclusion: Fragile Peace on the Brink
As the situation continues to develop, the world watches anxiously. India has shown its willingness to act swiftly and decisively in the face of terrorism, while Pakistan’s retaliatory rhetoric has added fuel to an already volatile situation. The balance now rests on how each side interprets “proportionate response”, and whether diplomacy can avert a full-scale escalation.
Until then, Operation Sindoor stands as a stark message: India will no longer remain silent in the face of provocation.
