In a swift, coordinated and high-precision military operation, India has launched retaliatory airstrikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ against nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), just two weeks after the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 Indian lives.

Carried out in the early hours of May 7, the strikes mark a significant escalation in India’s counter-terror strategy and reflect a no-tolerance posture towards cross-border terrorism. The joint offensive by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy targeted deep terror infrastructure, leaving no room for ambiguity about India’s resolve.

Nine Targets, One Message: Terror Will Be Answered
According to sources in the Ministry of Defence, the nine carefully selected targets were linked to notorious terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) – groups long-accused of orchestrating attacks on Indian soil. The operation, planned with surgical precision, focused on key terror training facilities, launchpads, and infiltration nodes operating with impunity from Pakistani territory.

The Indian Air Force deployed its Rafale fighter jets equipped with Scalp cruise missiles and Hammer precision-guided bombs, while loitering munitions – kamikaze drones – were also used to strike at targets. For the first time since the 1971 war, all three Indian defence services came together in an integrated operation against Pakistan.

Officials were clear in stating that no Pakistani military installations were targeted. “The mission was focused, measured and non-escalatory,” a senior official stated, “We deliberately avoided military or civilian structures unrelated to terrorism.”

A Night That Shook The Valley and Islamabad
Around 1:45 AM, residents across Kashmir reported hearing jet activity overhead, followed by distant, thunderous blasts. “Two loud explosions could be heard even in Srinagar,” said a resident. “There was panic and fear that war may be breaking out.”

But the message was already clear – India had moved beyond condemnation.

The Indian Army’s X handle posted shortly after the strikes – “Justice is served. Jai Hind.”

The Targets, A Breakdown of the Blow

1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur (Pakistan) – JeM’s 15-acre nerve centre, known to host Maulana Masood Azhar and linked to the Pulwama attack.

2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke (Pakistan) – LeT’s principal training base and the original cradle of the 26/11 Mumbai attackers.

3. Sarjal/Tehra Kalan Facility, Narowal (Pakistan) – A covert JeM launchpad for infiltration into Jammu, camouflaged under a public health centre.

4. Mehmoona Joya Facility, Sialkot (Pakistan) – Hizbul Mujahideen camp operated from a government school, used for training militants infiltrating Jammu.

5. Markaz Ahle Hadith Barnala, Bhimber (PoJK) – LeT’s infiltration staging ground into Poonch-Rajouri-Reasi.

6. Markaz Abbas, Kotli (PoJK) – A JeM stronghold led by Qari Zarrar, a close aide to Abdul Rauf Asghar.

7. Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli (PoJK) – One of the oldest Hizbul camps, specialising in sniper and survival training.

8. Shawai Nallah Camp, Muzaffarabad (PoJK) – Also known as Bait-ul-Mujahideen, linked to 26/11 and known to have ISI support.

9. Markaz Syedna Bilal, Muzaffarabad (PoJK) – JeM transit camp used for advanced combat training with assistance from Pakistani SSG units.

Pakistan Rattled, Promises Retaliation
Pakistan’s military acknowledged the strikes, with the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirming damage in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Kotli and Muzaffarabad. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry called the attack “cowardly” and accused India of striking civilian areas.

“Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond at a time and place of its choosing,” the DG ISPR said during a press conference, while claiming one child was killed and 12 others injured.

Pakistan has since placed its air defence on high alert, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declaring the situation “an act of war” and claiming that a “forceful response” is already underway.

Escalation at the LoC, Shelling and Civilian Casualties

Following the airstrikes, the Pakistan Army violated ceasefire agreements and launched artillery shelling across the LoC and IB in Jammu and Kashmir.

Three Indian civilians lost their lives, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate with “effective and proportionate fire.” According to defence sources, the Pakistani Army has suffered casualties in the response, though official numbers are yet to be confirmed.

India’s Strategic Messaging, Calm Resolve, Firm Retaliation
Officials in New Delhi maintained that Operation Sindoor was not an act of war, but an act of justice. It sends a clear message, not only to Pakistan, but also to terror groups operating from across the border, that India will no longer be a passive victim.

Security in the national capital and major Indian cities has been stepped up. Mock drills are planned across Delhi, and cyber intelligence agencies are monitoring online chatter for any threats or disinformation campaigns.

Cornered, but Calculating, What Might Pakistan Do Next After India’s Strikes?

India’s Operation Sindoor has left Pakistan stunned, both militarily and diplomatically. As nine terror hubs lie in ruins – some deep inside Pakistan’s sovereign territory – the question now shifts to Islamabad’s next move. Will it retaliate militarily? Or will it lean on diplomacy and asymmetrical tactics to save face without inviting escalation?

Here’s a geopolitical breakdown of Pakistan’s possible paths forward:

1. Military Retaliation: Limited and Symbolic, Not Escalatory

Likelihood: Medium
Reason: Pakistan’s military doctrine is built on “first use” and forceful retaliation, but this doctrine is more about deterrence than actual war-waging. A direct and large-scale military retaliation especially after an Indian strike that avoided civilian or military installations would risk further escalation and international scrutiny.

Expect instead:

–Artillery shelling along the LoC to signal defiance.

–A possible missile test or airspace violations as sabre-rattling.

–Increased infiltration attempts via terror proxies, especially in Rajouri and Poonch sectors.

However, Pakistan is unlikely to conduct a strike deep inside Indian territory due to India’s air superiority and strong retaliatory doctrine under its current political leadership.

2. Diplomatic Escalation: Playing the Victim on Global Platforms

Likelihood: High

Reason: Pakistan has historically used international forums like the United Nations and OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) to portray itself as the aggrieved party.

After the strikes, it will likely:

—Summon global envoys and call India’s action “an unprovoked act of aggression.”

—Appeal to China, Turkey, and Gulf allies for condemnation statements.

—Push for a UN Security Council meeting, though unlikely to succeed.

However, given India’s increasing global clout and Pakistan’s own track record of harbouring terrorists, it may struggle to gather meaningful international support—especially from the West.

3. Asymmetric Proxy Warfare: The Old Playbook Reopense

Likelihood: Very High

Reason: Historically, whenever India has responded militarily (like after Uri or Pulwama), Pakistan resorts to non-state actors to wage a prolonged, deniable campaign.

Expect:

–Fresh infiltration bids in Kashmir using foreign-trained militants.

–Activation of sleeper cells or proxy groups in Punjab, Jammu, or the Northeast.

–Cyber-attacks or disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing Indian public sentiment or targeting Indian institutions.

The ISI’s deep links with groups like LeT, JeM, and even newer ones like The Resistance Front (TRF) provide plausible deniability. But India’s counter-intelligence agencies are now better prepared and globally networked.

4. Leverage China’s Support Quietly, but Avoid Direct Involvement

Likelihood: Moderate

Reason: China is Pakistan’s closest strategic partner, but Beijing is unlikely to be drawn into a bilateral conflict with India especially when it’s managing its own geopolitical flashpoints with Taiwan, the South China Sea, and a sluggish economy.

However, expect:

—Chinese diplomatic shielding of Pakistan at the UN.

—Intelligence and satellite surveillance support.

—Possible logistical or covert military aid, if the crisis deepens.

That said, China does not want South Asia to spiral into war—it prefers a manageable rivalry, not open conflict that disrupts regional trade or infrastructure projects like CPEC.

5. Internal Diversion and Blame Game

Likelihood: Certain

Reason: With a weak civilian government, economic collapse, and rising extremism, Pakistan’s ruling elite may use the India conflict to divert attention. This could manifest as:

—Crackdowns on opposition under the guise of “national unity.”

—Media-driven jingoism to deflect public anger from inflation and IMF austerity.

—Blaming “foreign hand” (India) for upcoming terror attacks inside Pakistan to justify further militarization.

The Last Bit, Pakistan Is Cornered,

Expect Strategic Provocation, Not All-Out War, Pakistan is unlikely to let India’s strike pass without a response but it knows a full-blown war is not an option it can afford.

With India’s global stature rising, Pakistan will likely rely on:Symbolic military pushback, Proxy-led asymmetric escalation, and International propaganda warfare.

Let us be clear, India’s message to Pakistan is crystal clear – it has changed the red lines. And Islamabad knows that if it miscalculates, the cost this time could be far steeper than just a few destroyed terror camps.

Operation Sindoor – for Pakistan, it is both a wake-up call and a warning. Retaliate recklessly, and it invites devastation. Remain passive, and it risks internal humiliation. Maneuver through proxies or propaganda, and it gambles with its international credibility.

India has thus played an unexpected but calculated move, capturing the initiative and placing Pakistan in a strategic bind.