In the early hours of May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a coordinated strike by the Army, Air Force, and intelligence agencies in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM, 26 precision missile strikes targeted nine terrorist camps – five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and four in Pakistan – avoiding civilian and military casualties.
High-profile terrorists, including relatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders, were killed. Pakistan retaliated with heavy shelling in Poonch, Rajouri, and Mendhar, causing 10 deaths and injuring over 40 people. Amid rising tensions, India has increased border security and canceled PM Modi’s foreign visit. Operation Sindoor marks the first joint military mission of its kind since 1971 and signals India’s firm stance against terrorism.
With the success of Operation Sindoor, a new question emerges – what will Pakistan do now, and how prepared is India to counter any escalation? The strike has sent Pakistan’s terror infrastructure into disarray, but the possibility of retaliation cannot be ruled out.
To understand the strategic outlook, we spoke to Retired Lieutenant General Deependra Hooda, who offered valuable insights into the current situation and what lies ahead.
