In a bold and unprecedented counter-offensive, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of May 7, targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was a direct response to the gruesome April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, where 26 innocent civilians, including tourists and a local pony operator, were brutally killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that the operation was “Bharat’s response to the brutal killings in Pahalgam,” reinforcing the government’s unwavering resolve to strike back at forces that dare attack Indian soil.

Taking to social media, Mr. Shah expressed pride in the country’s armed forces and reiterated that the Modi government will continue to deliver fitting responses to terror strikes. “Proud of our armed forces. Operation Sindoor is Bharat's response to the brutal killing of our innocent brothers in Pahalgam... Bharat remains firmly committed to eradicating terrorism from its roots,” he posted.

The tri-services operation, involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, executed coordinated precision strikes at nine key locations that served as breeding grounds for terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Launched at 1:44 AM, the strikes targeted camps in Bahawalpur, Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Muridke, all known safe havens for militant activity. Officials confirmed that these targets were carefully chosen to avoid escalation, as no Pakistani military infrastructure was hit. India emphasized that the response was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” designed purely to destroy terror capabilities.

While India celebrated its swift action, Pakistan responded with cross-border artillery shelling on Indian villages near the Line of Control, resulting in the tragic deaths of three civilians. India, however, stood firm, calling this just the first phase of a broader campaign should provocations continue.

The airstrikes sparked a wave of patriotic fervor across the country. Bollywood stars like Riteish Deshmukh, Anupam Kher, Nimrat Kaur, and filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar hailed the bravery of the armed forces. Deshmukh posted, “Jai Hind Ki Sena... Bharat Mata Ki Jai!!! #OperationSindoor,” while Bhandarkar wrote, “One nation, together we stand. Jai Hind, Vande Mataram.” Veteran actor Paresh Rawal simply shared a string of folded hand emojis, letting silence speak louder than words.

Operation Sindoor has drawn a clear line in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine—terror will not go unanswered. With potential further phases on the horizon, the message from Delhi is unambiguous: if the enemy strikes, Bharat will strike back harder, swifter, and with surgical precision.