New Delhi, May 7, 2025:
As the country prepared for underscoring India’s preparedness on the civilian side, the Ministry of Home Affairs planning to conduct a National Civil Defense Mock Drill across major urban centers and sensitive border states, in the early hours of Wednesday, India carried out one of its most audacious military operations in decades: Operation Sindoor. The drill, conducted just hours after the military offensive, tested readiness for potential emergencies including air raids, cross-border shelling, cyberattacks, and large-scale evacuations.
Though the drill is not directly linked to Operation Sindoor but was part of a pre-planned nationwide exercise. However, the timing lent it new urgency. Thousands of civil defense volunteers, paramedics, fire services, and police participated, conducting evacuation simulations, first aid stations, and public awareness drives in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, and Amritsar.
The Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized that the drill aimed to enhance community-level resilience and reassure the public amid heightened tensions. “While our armed forces secure the borders, our civil defense teams stand ready to safeguard lives and infrastructure at home,” said a senior official.
Operation Sindoor an unprecedented tri-service mission, led by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeted nine terror camps spread across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). The offensive, completed in just 25 minutes, marks a turning point in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine and has sent shockwaves across South Asia, reshaping the security landscape.
The catalyst for Operation Sindoor was the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen. The attack rattled the country and sparked public outrage, with nationwide calls for accountability and a decisive response. Within days, the Indian Armed Forces swung into action, executing a meticulously planned offensive designed to cripple the infrastructure of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, long considered responsible for cross-border attacks.
The Operation Unfolds: Nine Camps, 24 Missiles, 25 Minutes
At precisely 1:44 am, the Indian military launched 24 precision-guided missiles on terror camps located in Muridke, Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bhimber, and other hotspots. Official reports confirm that all nine camps were destroyed, with over 70 terrorists killed and more than 60 injured. Notably, no Pakistani military installations or civilian infrastructure were targeted, a calculated demonstration of “measured, non-escalatory, and responsible” force, according to India’s Defense Ministry.
The operation showcased a high level of inter-service coordination and technological prowess, blending satellite intelligence, drone surveillance, and stealth missile systems. This was the first time since the 1971 war that India deployed all three military wings in a unified cross-border strike.
India’s Official Line: Justice, Not Escalation
The Ministry of Defense, in a carefully worded statement, underscored that the operation was focused and proportionate, aimed solely at eliminating terror launchpads and command centers.
“India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and the method of execution,” the ministry emphasized. “These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack. The armed forces are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”
This messaging appears calibrated not only for domestic consumption but also for an international audience, signaling that India’s intent is justice, not escalation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored the strike from New Delhi, receiving live updates from the military command center. Within hours, he convened a special cabinet meeting, where Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah briefed top leaders on the operational details and the restraint exercised to avoid collateral damage.
Modi reportedly described Operation Sindoor as a “moment of pride” for India, reflecting a blend of national resolve and geopolitical prudence. A senior official confirmed that the codename “Sindoor” was chosen by Modi himself, a reference to sacrifice, dignity, and the bloodshed of Indian martyrs.
All-Party Meet: National Unity in Times of Crisis
To consolidate national consensus, the government has called an all-party meeting at 11 am tomorrow, where senior ministers will brief opposition leaders on the operation. The agenda is expected to include a discussion on India’s evolving counter-terror strategy, diplomatic outreach, and preparations for any retaliatory moves from Pakistan.
The all-party meet reflects an attempt to project unity at home while the international community closely watches for signs of escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Global Spotlight: UN Team on Ground, World Powers React
Even as the smoke settled over Muzaffarabad, a United Nations team arrived to assess the aftermath, amid competing narratives from India and Pakistan. While India maintains the strikes were precise and civilian-safe, Pakistan has alleged civilian casualties, a claim India categorically denies.
The Indian Embassy in Washington reiterated that the action was based on “credible intelligence” and aimed solely at terror infrastructure. Meanwhile, world leaders, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urged restraint, with Washington, London, and Paris closely monitoring the situation.
Women at the Forefront: Symbolism and Messaging
In a striking image, the government’s media briefing was led by two women officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Their presence was seen as a tribute to the women widowed in the Pahalgam attack and as a message of inclusivity and resolve.
Public reaction has been largely supportive, with families of Pahalgam victims expressing relief and national leaders across party lines hailing the operation. Rajesh Narwal, father of Navy Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, one of the attack victims, remarked, “With this action, all 26 families will get justice.”
Pakistan’s Reaction: Military, Political, and Diplomatic Pushback
Pakistan’s response was swift and multifaceted. Pakistani forces retaliated with indiscriminate firing across the Line of Control, killing ten Indian civilians, including two children, in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has reported nine civilian deaths and 38 injuries on its side, while denying the existence of terror camps in the targeted locations.
On the political front, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Indian strikes as an “act of war,” promising a “befitting reply.” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif pledged that Pakistan’s response would be both “kinetic and diplomatic,” setting the stage for further escalation.
Diplomatically, Pakistan has appealed to the United Nations and major powers, accusing India of violating its sovereignty and threatening regional peace.
A Shift in Doctrine
Operation Sindoor is widely seen as a watershed moment in India’s counter-terror playbook. Analysts note that the operation reflects a shift from defensive posturing to offensive, targeted actions aimed at dismantling terror networks at their roots.
The measured nature of the strikes, avoiding civilian and military assets, also suggests an evolution toward what experts call “surgical-plus operations”, high-impact, low-escalation missions that send a clear message without triggering full-scale war.
Sources suggest that Operation Sindoor may only be the first phase of a broader strategy. Should cross-border terrorism persist, further military, diplomatic, or economic actions could follow. Meanwhile, India has put its borders and security forces on high alert, anticipating potential retaliation.
With airspace closures, troop movements, and a surge in cross-border firing, the next few days will test the resilience of bilateral diplomacy and the nerves of the region.
Human Cost, Beyond Numbers
While the military operation has been hailed as a success, the human cost on both sides of the border remains sobering. In India, the deaths of ten civilians in retaliatory Pakistani shelling have cast a shadow over the triumph. In Pakistan, claims of civilian deaths, whether accurate or exaggerated, are fueling anger and nationalistic fervor.
The families caught in the crossfire, from the hills of Jammu and Kashmir to the towns of POK, serve as a reminder that beyond the headlines and strategic calculations, ordinary lives hang in the balance.
Operation Sindoor will likely be remembered as a defining chapter in India’s long struggle against cross-border terrorism. It has demonstrated India’s capability and willingness to strike with precision and restraint, while signaling to adversaries that the era of impunity is over.
As the world watches, the government’s next moves, diplomatic, political, and military, will determine whether this episode becomes a prelude to lasting stability or the spark for a wider conflagration.
