Why Was India's Strike On Pakistan, PoK Called 'Operation Sindoor'? Here's The Significance
The Indian Air Force led the night raids, zeroing in on key terror infrastructure used by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Operation Sindoor: India’s targeted counter-terror operation in the wake of the Pahalgam massacre wasn’t just a military response — it was a message steeped in symbolism. Named ‘Operation Sindoor’, the mission struck nine terror hideouts — four in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) — in a swift and precise retaliation.
Precision Strikes on Terror Hotbeds
The Indian Air Force led the night raids, zeroing in on key terror infrastructure used by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Among the targeted locations were Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and the Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad, all linked to Jaish. Lashkar’s bases, such as Markaz Taiba in Murdike and Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, were also hit, along with Hizbul’s facilities in Kotli and Sialkot.
Officials confirmed the operation was aimed at disrupting the command centres that helped orchestrate cross-border attacks on Indian soil. The coordinated action was carried out with surgical precision to minimise collateral damage.
The Significance of ‘Sindoor’
But why name the mission ‘Operation Sindoor’? The title is largely believed to be deliberate and poignant choice. Sindoor, the red vermilion powder traditionally worn by married Hindu women, became a powerful symbol of loss after the Pahalgam terror attack.
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One image in particular captured national attention: Himanshi Narwal, a newlywed woman, was seen sitting beside the body of her slain husband, 26-year-old naval officer Vinay Narwal. The two had been honeymooning in Pahalgam when he was shot dead in front of her. That moment, shared widely across social media on April 22, came to embody the deep human cost of terrorism.
A Name That Memorialises Sacrifice
The name ‘Operation Sindoor’ serves to humanise the victims and survivors of the Pahalgam massacre, ensuring that their sacrifices are remembered. In choosing such a culturally loaded term, the Indian Armed Forces sought not only to strike back at the perpetrators but also to stand in solidarity with the grieving families left behind.
The Indian Army posted a solemn but strong message on X after the operation: “#PahalgamTerrorAttack Justice is Served. Jai Hind!”
#PahalgamTerrorAttack
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 6, 2025
Justice is Served.
Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/Aruatj6OfA
Through Operation Sindoor, India’s response transcended military objectives — it became a memorial in motion, a symbolic strike that carried the weight of national grief and resolve.
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