India’s strategic retaliation through Operation Sindoor, following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, has reshaped the security landscape in the region. The Indian government has made it clear that these strikes were targeted and restrained, aimed at eliminating terror infrastructure without provoking further escalation. Over two dozen militants linked to Pakistan-based outfits were neutralized in a swift and coordinated series of strikes across the Line of Control.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a special media briefing, underscored that India’s actions were a response—not an escalation. “Our intention was never to inflame tensions. We acted after the Pahalgam attack. The responsibility to de-escalate now rests with Pakistan,” he said. He also criticized Pakistan’s move at the UN Security Council to block any reference to The Resistance Front, which had openly claimed the Pahalgam attack.
In retaliation, Pakistan launched cross-border shelling, impacting civilian areas and escalating tensions further. Several civilian casualties were reported along the Line of Control, triggering concern over the growing human cost of this exchange.
Back home, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with top security and defense officials, calling for continued vigilance and streamlined communication. The focus was on strengthening civil defense readiness, tackling misinformation, and securing vital infrastructure. This was followed by a nationwide civil defense drill, Operation Abhyaas, covering hundreds of districts to test India’s preparedness for hybrid threats in times of conflict.
While Indian forces remain on high alert, officials reiterated that the onus to reduce hostilities lies with Islamabad. New Delhi’s message is clear: the response was necessary, proportionate, and measured—but further aggression will be met with firm resolve.
As both nations stand at a critical juncture, the eyes of the world remain fixed on the region, urging restraint but also acknowledging the legitimacy of India’s response in the face of targeted terror.
