Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi addressed the media about Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The attack killed 26 people, many of whom were newly married men. The decision to have two women officers lead the briefing was symbolic. It showed India’s strong stand against terrorism and paid tribute to the widows of the men who lost their lives.

The name Sindoor (which means vermilion) was chosen to reflect this symbolism. Sindoor is worn by married Hindu women. In the April 22 attack, terrorists targeted men based on their religion. The tragedy left many women widowed. This operation sends a strong message that India stands with them.

Precision strikes across terror camps in Pakistan and POK

Early in the morning, the Indian Armed Forces launched a coordinated attack called Operation Sindoor. The Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force worked together using precision ammunition to hit nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POK).

"A little while ago, the Indian Armed Forces launched OPERATION SINDOOR, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed. Altogether, nine sites have been targeted," said a statement issued by the Indian Army.

According to senior Indian officials, two of the biggest strikes were at Bahawalpur and Muridke, strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Around 25–30 terrorists were reportedly killed at each of these places. In Muridke, the Indian forces targeted Masjid wa Markaz Taiba, which is known as the headquarters of LeT and often referred to as the "terror nursery" of Pakistan.

Indian intelligence reports say that about 80 to 90 terrorists may have been killed in total. Other places targeted include terrorist training centres in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Sialkot, and Barnala, many linked to JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Four sites were inside Pakistan, and five were in POK. Indian officials said that no Pakistani military bases were attacked. However, they claimed that Pakistan’s Army, intelligence agency ISI, and its Special Services Group (SSG) were helping the terrorists.

Pakistan calls it "blatant act of war"

After the strikes, Pakistan claimed that eight civilians, including a child, had died. They called the Indian action a "blatant act of war". In response, Pakistani forces fired across the border, killing three Indian civilians. Indian troops fired back, and the exchange of fire was still ongoing.

 

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