New Delhi — In a powerful military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, India launched Operation Sindoor late Tuesday night, striking nine terror bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with 24 missiles in just 25 minutes. The Indian government sources confirmed that 70 terrorists were killed and over 60 injured in what is being described as a precision and pre-emptive counterterror operation.
The strikes triggered heavy retaliation from Pakistan, which resorted to indiscriminate shelling across the Line of Control (LoC), killing at least 16 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army has released the first visual confirmation of a Pakistani military post being destroyed in retaliatory fire.
India’s Diplomatic Messaging and U.S. Support
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing that India’s actions were targeted and measured, and warned against any further escalation by Pakistan. Rubio, who also spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urged immediate de-escalation of tensions.
Former Pentagon official and AEI Senior Fellow Michael Rubin has publicly backed India’s response, calling Pakistan a “failed state” and urging the U.S. to designate it a state sponsor of terrorism.
“It’s time to stop designating the tentacles of the octopus and name the head — Pakistan,” Rubin said. “The United States should side unequivocally with India.”
Domestic Security Measures in India
In light of the escalating situation, India shut down 24 airports, including in Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, and Jodhpur, and enforced a blackout in sensitive areas. Schools in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have been closed until Saturday. States like Assam and Maharashtra have convened emergency meetings to assess the situation.
Disinformation War Intensifies Online
India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) flagged a rise in fake news and misinformation from Pakistani social media accounts. Indian users were urged to verify claims through official channels.