India Strikes Back: 'Operation Sindoor' Neutralises 100 Terrorists, Lahore Air Defence
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', striking nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed political leaders that precision strikes neutralized around 100 terrorists, including JeM's Abdul Rauf Azhar, brother of Masood Azhar. India also countered Pakistani drone and missile attacks on military targets in North/West India, successfully neutralising Pakistan's Air Defence system in Lahore. Pakistan reported four soldiers injured in the Lahore drone attack.
Unpacked:
Operation Sindoor was launched in direct response to the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people. This terror incident prompted India to target terrorist infrastructure across the border.
Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks targeting military sites in North and West India. India’s air defence successfully countered these attacks and neutralized Pakistan’s Air Defence system in Lahore. Pakistan also reported four soldiers injured in the Lahore drone attack.
India’s strikes severely damaged Pakistan’s military infrastructure, notably destroying the Nur Khan Airbase, a key hub for Pakistan’s air power. This marked a significant setback for Pakistan’s air force, impacting high-value aerial assets and reducing its air mobility and surveillance capacity.
The United States played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in pushing both India and Pakistan toward a ceasefire after four days of escalation. The US intervened diplomatically, leading to a truce announcement and a subsequent fragile calm along the India-Pakistan border.