A year ago on 7th May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam where 26 civilians including a Nepali citizen Sudip Neupane were murdered. This attack was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan backed UN proscribed terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The killing of innocent civilians from point blank range in front of their family members on the basis of religion shocked the entire world. It reaffirmed the urgent need to dismantle the infrastructure of cross-border terrorism. Operation Sindoor therefore targeted the terrorist infrastructure and hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and obliterated them. The Operation is a testimony to India's firm resolve to ensure safety and security of its citizens against the nefarious forces of terrorism. India stood united and responded with purpose and unity, delivering a decisive stand against terrorism.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, entire nation came together to hold to account those who perpetrate terrorist attacks and target civilians. Indian armed forces carried out precise and targeted strikes in the early hours of 7th May 2025 against nine terror camps based out of Pakistan and PoJK. The hubs of terrorist organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen, which have been proscribed internationally and by several countries, were destroyed and about 100 terrorists were eliminated including those linked to the IC-814 hijacking and Pulwama terror attack.
Over the next few days, Pakistani forces tried to attack our civilian population and religious places. The Indian armed forces responded with calm and calculated professionalism targeting the military installations of Pakistan. In a matter of few days, the Indian armed forces had struck several Pakistani military sites including 11 airbases and surveillance radars making them unfit for operations. They also successfully thwarted numerous attempts by drones and unmanned aerial vehicles to target our civilian areas. The precise, coordinated and joint operations by all the wings of our armed forces led Pakistan to request a cease-fire to which India agreed to, as our intention since the launch of Operation Sindoor was to target only terrorist infrastructure.
The Operation also showed "Atmanirbhar Bharat" in action. Our armed forces used several weapon systems developed indigenously by our public and private sector. These systems not just protected our assets and civilian sites by successfully intercepting the drones that were targeted at them but also helped in neutralizing the air-bases in Pakistan. Operation Sindoor demonstrated evolution of India's defence capabilities with unmatched precision, seamless joint-ness and deep synergy across services as well as a steady advance towards achieving Atmanirbharta, enhancing indigenous capability while reinforcing resilience. Indigenous systems such as Akash, backed by advanced platforms like the S-400, reinforced India's air defence preparedness. The Operation showcased the effectiveness of modern warfare capabilities, technological integration and joint operational planning across the Army, Navy and Air Force. ISRO operated ten satellites round the clock to support strategic operations and Indian startups emerged as force multipliers in new-age warfare. Operation Sindoor was not only a military success but also a reflection of the strength of a united nation against terrorism.
Operation Sindoor marked a significant evolution of India in dealing with the cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. For the first time, the nuclear bogey, which Pakistan used to indulge in to provide cover for its backing of terrorism, was called out. India also conveyed firmly that there will be costs if Pakistan continued to use terrorism as an instrument.
As Prime Minister Modi stated after ceasing of military operations on 12th May 2025, Operation Sindoor signalled three main strategic principles in how India would deal with terrorism in the future. Firstly it marked India's new normal against terrorism that if there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given by India on its terms with strict action at every place from where the roots of terrorism emerge. Secondly, India will no longer tolerate any "nuclear blackmail" and that it will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts. And thirdly, that India will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism.
Terrorism emanating from Pakistan, affects our entire region as the terrible death of Nepali youth in Pahalgam showed. As we mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, it stands as a tall beacon of India's continued resolve and unity of purpose in defeating terrorism and its backers. It should also serve as reminder for all of us in this region to stand united against such dark forces.
Srivastava is the Ambassador of India to Nepal