India launches “Operation Sindoor” in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting nine Pakistan-based terror camps. Backed by strong condemnations from Trump and Putin, India’s military and diplomatic strategy sends a clear deterrent signal against cross-border terrorism with global support.
India has responded firmly and strategically to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 Hindu pilgrims were killed by Pakistan-directed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on April 22. The attack, drawing grim parallels with the 26/11 Mumbai massacre, prompted a strong, multi-pronged response from India — both militarily and diplomatically.
In the early hours of May 7, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, a coordinated military strike targeting nine terror bases and training camps across the Line of Control (LoC) and Indo-Pak border. These Balakot-style strikes were conducted with surgical precision, designed to eliminate terrorist infrastructure without engaging Pakistani military positions. India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval, led the planning and execution of the operation with remarkable coordination among the defence forces.
The operation’s success was outlined the following morning by Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, two women officers closely associated with its planning. Their presence at the forefront symbolized India’s resolve to avenge the victims — many of whom were women who had lost their husbands in the attack. The name “Sindoor,” symbolizing the marital bond, underlined this message.
India’s decisive action received strong backing from global powers. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin unequivocally condemned the Pahalgam attack. Trump’s longstanding position on Islamic terror and his administration’s imposition of visa restrictions on terror-linked countries reinforced India’s stance. The US-India strategic partnership, solidified under the Quad framework, was further strengthened by this shared vision of countering extremism and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Russia’s support was equally significant, especially considering its recent experience with ISIS-K’s terror attack in Moscow, where over 130 people were killed. This solidarity from both the US and Russia gives India a firm diplomatic cushion in its campaign to dismantle cross-border terror networks.
India also reserved the right to target high-profile terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar, wherever they may be hiding under Pakistani army protection. This signals a shift from reactive defense to proactive deterrence, aimed at disrupting the leadership of terror groups operating from Pakistani soil.
The geopolitical backdrop further amplifies India’s role. President Trump’s re-election has brought a renewed focus on administrative and foreign policy reforms. His emphasis on reducing American commitments to distant wars while strengthening ties with democratic allies like India underscores a natural convergence of interests. As part of his “Make America Great Again” agenda, Trump acknowledges India’s strategic and economic significance, a sentiment reciprocated by Prime Minister Modi who, during his February visit to Washington, subtly echoed the desire to “Make India Great Again.”
Unlike the Obama-Biden era which often overlooked the radical Islamist threat emanating from the Pak-Afghan belt, Trump’s administration has shown zero tolerance toward such extremism. This has allowed India to counter both Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism and the growing China-Pak strategic alliance with greater confidence and support.
The Modi government, despite criticisms of being too aligned with the US, has handled the relationship with diplomatic maturity and strategic independence. India continues to assert its sovereignty while leveraging global partnerships to maintain regional stability.
Looking ahead, there’s a clear need for a focused internal security approach in Jammu and Kashmir. Post-Pahalgam, the region’s strategic importance has increased significantly. Appointing a senior civilian with national security and intelligence experience to oversee the state could improve coordination among defence services, counter separatist elements, and enhance grassroots intelligence flow.
India’s response to the Pahalgam attack marks a pivotal moment in its counter-terror doctrine. It combines military resolve, international diplomacy, and strategic clarity, creating a robust deterrent against future terror attacks. The world’s two major powers — the US and Russia — now stand alongside India in its fight against terrorism, lending credibility and weight to its efforts.
As long as Pakistan continues using terrorism as a state tool, India must remain prepared to act — swiftly, decisively, and with the world watching.
