n the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, India has launched “Operation Sindoor,” targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a press briefing, emphasized that the operation was a “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible” response aimed at dismantling terror hubs and preventing further cross-border attacks.
Misri stated that investigations into the Pahalgam attack revealed clear links to Pakistan-based terrorist groups, particularly the UN-designated Lashkar-e-Taiba operating through its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF). He noted that despite India’s repeated inputs to the UN’s 1267 Sanctions Committee highlighting TRF’s role as a cover for Pakistan-based terrorist groups, Pakistan has failed to take demonstrable action against these entities.
“Our intelligence monitoring indicated that further attacks against India were impending,” Misri said. “There was thus a compulsion both to deter and to pre-empt.”
The operation targeted nine locations identified as terrorist infrastructure, focusing on dismantling training camps and communication nodes used to plan and direct attacks against India. Misri emphasized that the strikes were carefully calibrated to avoid civilian casualties and were not aimed at Pakistani military installations.
Pakistan has condemned the airstrikes, reporting civilian casualties and vowing a robust response. However, India maintains that the operation was a necessary step to safeguard its citizens and sovereignty.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The United Nations Security Council, in a statement on April 25, underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of the Pahalgam attack accountable.
India’s actions, as articulated by Foreign Secretary Misri, are framed within this context of seeking justice and preventing further terrorist activities emanating from across the border.
