India has launched a major military operation named “Operation Sindoor” early Wednesday, striking multiple targets inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for last month’s deadly attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.
India’s Ministry of Defence reported that the strikes targeted nine sites allegedly linked to militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, whom India blames for orchestrating the massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, India-administered Kashmir. Indian officials emphasized that the strikes were “measured” and “non-escalatory,” claiming no Pakistani military installations were targeted. However, Pakistan condemned the attack as a “blatant act of war,” asserting that missiles struck civilian areas, including mosques, and left at least eight civilians dead and over 35 injured.
Pakistan’s air force reportedly shot down five Indian fighter jets, with debris from at least three aircraft found in Indian-administered Kashmir. Indian officials have not confirmed the loss of any aircraft but acknowledged civilian casualties due to Pakistani shelling, with at least seven civilians dead and dozens injured along the contested Line of Control.
