Pakistan shells four sectors, India responds with joint forces operation

KATHMANDU: Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically following India’s large-scale joint military operation named “Operation Sindoor”, launched as a response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam two weeks ago.

According to official sources, the Indian Armed Forces carried out a precision airstrike at 1:05 AM on Tuesday night, targeting nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

A total of 24 missiles were launched in the coordinated assault involving all three wings of the military – the Army, Air Force, and Navy – marking the first such joint military operation since the 1971 war.

More than 100 terrorists are reported to have been killed in the strike.

Among them were 10 family members and four aides of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar.

The operation was named “Operation Sindoor” in honor of the women whose husbands were killed in the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Armed Forces for their coordinated action, stating, “This is the new India. The entire nation was watching us. This had to be done.”

In the hours following the strike, top government, military, and air force officials held a joint press conference to provide details of the operation.

Notably, for the first time in India’s history, Army Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed the media regarding the mission. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was also present.

Pakistan Retaliates with Shelling

In response, Pakistan initiated heavy shelling for the second consecutive night in the border regions of Jammu and Kashmir, specifically targeting Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors.

The Indian Army retaliated to the shelling. As of now, no human casualties have been reported in these counter-exchanges.

However, Indian media outlet Dainik Bhaskar has reported that 15 civilians were killed in Pakistani shelling near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch region.

Addressing the Pakistani parliament, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Indian airstrikes as a “cowardly attack” and vowed to retaliate.

U.S. Calls for De-escalation

Reacting to the developments, U.S. President Donald Trump said, “This is very serious. I have good relations with both countries and I know them well. I urge both nations to stop now. Both have already responded in a ‘tit-for-tat’ manner. If I can assist in any way, I am always ready.”