In a powerful reply to the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, the Indian Army carried out its biggest-ever targeted military action across the border under Operation Sindoor. The army launched a series of missile strikes on terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), killing over 100 terrorists, as per early reports.
This operation, named in memory of the brave women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam attack, marks a significant shift in India’s defense approach. For the first time, the Indian Army targeted areas deep inside Pakistan’s Punjab province, including cities like Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot, along with Muzaffarabad and Kotli in POK.
Why Operation Sindoor is India’s strongest military reply yet
Operation Sindoor stands apart because of its scale and depth. Unlike the 2016 Uri surgical strike and the 2019 Balakot airstrike that hit only specific camps, this mission targeted nine major terror bases at once. Many of these places were considered too risky to touch earlier, especially locations like Bahawalpur, the base of Jaish-e-Mohammed, around 300 km inside Pakistan.
Muridke, believed to be the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Sialkot, just 20 km from India’s border, were also hit. This time, India sent a strong message by striking inside areas that Pakistan considers its secure territory without even sending troops across the border.
Precision missile strikes hit key terror hubs.
Indian missiles reportedly targeted Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Kotli and Muzaffarabad in POK. These places are known hubs for major terrorist groups. Chak Amru, close to the Indian border, was also hit.
This action was not just about revenge. It was a direct and sharp counter to the growing terror threats backed from across the border. By attacking multiple hideouts in one go, the army made sure that the terror networks felt the impact deeply and quickly.
How this compares with the 1971 war
Many experts are comparing Operation Sindoor to India’s 1971 war with Pakistan. But the goals are different. The 1971 war was about land and strategy, leading to Bangladesh’s birth. Operation Sindoor, on the other hand, is a focused anti-terror action, not about land but about eliminating terror infrastructure.
This marks a significant policy shift—India is now hitting where it hurts most, directly at the source of terror and in once-untouched areas.
Sources: TV9 Hindi, CNN
