NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MAY 7
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the Indian armed forces for carrying out targeted strikes, Operation Sindoor, at nine high-value terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
What’s in a name?
In a powerful symbolic gesture that has deeply resonated across the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally chose the name ‘Operation Sindoor’ for India’s precise retaliatory strike, sources revealed.
The name ‘Sindoor’, evoking deep cultural emotion, refers to the vermilion worn by married Hindu women, a symbol of marital union. The decision to name the operation ‘Sindoor’ is said to be a tribute to the women widowed in the attack, whose lives were shattered in a moment of violence and loss.
An image shared by the Indian Army bore the operation’s title in bold letters. One of the letters, shaped as a bowl of sindoor, spilled over—visually representing the tragic aftermath of the terror assault. The caption read, “Justice is served. Jai Hind.”
Army veterans and families of the victims have welcomed the symbolism.
The prime minister chaired a meeting of the Union Cabinet, hours after ‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched to destroy terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Soon after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Cabinet about Operation Sindoor, the entire Cabinet hailed the action and the prime minister’s leadership with thumping of desks.
Modi is also learnt to have said that his government will have zero tolerance towards terror.
He emphasised that the Army had carried out the mission with utmost precision, adhering strictly to the detailed preparations that had been made in advance.
Sources said the Prime Minister praised the armed forces for their “commendable job” and “immaculate execution,” underlining their professionalism and commitment to national security.
The cabinet ministers unanimously expressed confidence in PM Modi’s leadership and lauded the armed forces for their successful operation.
They conveyed that the entire nation stood firmly behind the Prime Minister and the military establishment in the fight against terrorism.
Modi also met President Droupadi Murmu and briefed her on Indian armed forces’ precision strikes at terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
The prime minister also separately met the Defence Minister and NSA Ajit Doval and took stock of the evolving situation, sources said.
Meanwhile, the Centre has convened an all-party meeting on Thursday at 11 a.m. to brief the nation’s political leadership on the strategic strikes.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju made the announcement on Wednesday and wrote on X, “Govt has called an All Party leaders meeting at 11 am on 8th May, 2025 at Committee Room: G-074, in the Parliament Library Building, Parliament Complex in New Delhi.”
The precision strikes were launched in the early hours of Wednesday and lasted just 25 minutes.
Between 1.05 a.m. and 1.30 a.m., 24 missiles were deployed to strike nine terrorist facilities, including Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke and major terror training sites in Bahawalpur — long considered breeding grounds for extremist operations.
India emphasised that the action was not escalatory but a calculated and proportionate response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed.
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution,” the government said in a statement.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that India’s goal was to dismantle terror infrastructure while avoiding civilian casualties and preventing broader conflict. “Operation Sindoor was a proportionate and responsible response to Pakistan’s ongoing support for terrorism,” he stated, adding that Pakistan had continued its pattern of denial and deflection instead of taking action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre.
“This government has kept its promise — those responsible will be held accountable,” the statement added, underscoring India’s determination to retaliate against any future cross-border terrorism.
Two women officers of the Indian Armed Forces informed the media on Operation Sindoor on Wednesday.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, in a press conference with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, said that the military strikes were carried out between 1.05 to 1.30 a.m. in the wee hours on Wednesday on credible intelligence inputs and the purpose was to decimate and destroy the terror infrastructure, terror launching pads and indoctrination centres across the border.
OPERATION SINDOOR#JusticeServed
Target 1 – Abbas Terrorist Camp at Kotli.
Distance – 13 Km from Line of Control (POJK).
Nerve Centre for training suicide bombers of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Key training infrastructure for over 50 terrorists.DESTROYED AT 1.04 AM on 07 May 2025.… pic.twitter.com/OBF4gTNA8q
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 7, 2025
OPERATION SINDOOR#JusticeServed
Target 2 – Gulpur Terrorist Camp at Kotli.
Distance – 30 Km from Line of Control (POJK).
Control Center and Base of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
Used for revival of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.DESTROYED AT 1.08 AM on 07 May 2025.… pic.twitter.com/JyYlZEAKgU
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 7, 2025
The women officers also documented the details of calibrated and measured retaliation and gave a detailed account of terror factories operating from those centres.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reacted after the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to avenge the killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam on April 22. Taking to social media, Jaishankar said, “The world must show zero tolerance for terrorism.” Remember, last week, Jaishankar spoke to his counterparts from non-permanent member nations of the United Nations Security Council.
Political leaders across party lines have expressed strong support for the Indian armed forces following the successful execution of the operation.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, praised the military’s precision and courage, posting on X, “Proud of our Armed Forces. Jai Hind!” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed similar sentiments, writing, “India has an unflinching National Policy against all forms of terrorism emanating from Pakistan and PoK. We are extremely proud of our Indian Armed Forces, who have struck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. We applaud their resolute resolve and courage.”
Kharge stressed that the Congress party has stood united with the government since the April 22 terror attack. “Since the day of the Pahalgam Terror Attack, the Indian National Congress has categorically stood with the Armed Forces and the Government to take any decisive action against cross-border terror,” he wrote.
Calling for national unity, he concluded, “National Unity and solidarity is the need of the hour and the Indian National Congress stands with our Armed Forces. Our leaders have shown the path in past, and National Interest is supreme for us.”
PM Modi’s visit to Norway, Croatia, the Netherlands postponed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his three-nation visit to Europe given the prevailing situation following ‘Operation Sindoor’. PM Modi was scheduled to visit Norway, Croatia, and the Netherlands from May 13-17.
