‘Operation Sindoor’: India Strikes Deep into Pakistan; Civilian Casualties Reported as Tensions Soar

Two weeks after a deadly terrorist attack claimed 28 lives in Pahalgam, India has launched a military operation named ‘Operation Sindoor’, carrying out 24 missile strikes across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir late Tuesday night.

According to Indian authorities, the strikes were aimed at nine terror training sites, targeting alleged strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba in areas such as Bahawalpur, Muridke, Faisalabad, Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Sialkot, among others. The use of precision-guided weapons was emphasized, with Indian officials asserting that only terrorist bases were targeted, not military or civilian zones.

Reports from Indian media suggested that 17 militants were killed and around 60 injured in the operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was said to have closely monitored the mission from the military’s war room.

Despite India’s claims of a controlled and focused strike, Pakistan painted a different picture. Officials in Islamabad confirmed the missile strikes but stated that eight civilians, including a child, were killed, with 35 others wounded. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accused India of targeting mosques and residential neighborhoods, calling the operation “inhuman.”

Adding to the conflicting narratives, Pakistan’s military claimed it downed five Indian fighter jets and captured soldiers, while state media reported two aircraft being shot down and multiple Indian positions destroyed. These claims have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, India reported that three civilians died after Pakistan opened fire across the Line of Control and international border in Jammu and Kashmir following the strikes.

In response to the heightened security situation, schools and colleges have been shut across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch districts. Pakistan also closed educational institutions in Punjab province and issued emergency alerts.

As cross-border firing continues, international voices are urging restraint. U.S. President Donald Trump described the developments as “shameful,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed direct communication with both countries. Other global powers — including China, Russia, the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, and UAE — have also appealed for de-escalation.

What Triggered ‘Operation Sindoor’?

The strikes follow the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, where a group of gunmen killed 28 people, most of them Hindu tourists. India has blamed Pakistan-based militants for orchestrating the attack, accusing Islamabad of providing safe haven to extremist groups — a charge Pakistan denies.

While India sees the airstrikes as justified retaliation, Pakistan is calling for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam killings and has condemned India’s military action as a reckless provocation.

With both sides digging in — militarily and diplomatically — fears of a deeper conflict are rising. The Line of Control remains active with shelling, airspaces have been closed, and civilians on both sides are bracing for what comes next.