In May 2025, India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors with a history of conflict, were once again thrust into the spotlight following a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The attack, allegedly orchestrated by a Pakistan-based terrorist group, resulted in significant civilian casualties and sparked nationwide outrage across India. The Indian government responded swiftly and decisively, launching a retaliatory military operation named Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025.
Operation Sindoor was a limited but intense cross-border military campaign targeting terror camps and strategic infrastructure allegedly used by Pakistan-backed groups. Over a span of four days, Indian forces conducted precision airstrikes and artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), claiming the destruction of several terrorist launchpads. Pakistan responded with its own military maneuvers, leading to heightened tensions across the region.
This brief but volatile conflict was marked by international concern. The United States, the United Nations, and several other global powers urged restraint and diplomacy. On May 10, a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was announced, effectively halting military activity on both sides. However, even after the ceasefire, minor skirmishes were reported, and the rhetoric between the two nations remained heated.
In an unprecedented move, India also suspended its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty, a water-sharing agreement between the two nations that had remained intact even during earlier conflicts. The Indian government argued that extraordinary steps were required to combat state-sponsored terrorism.
Operation Sindoor also included Operation Abhyaas, a civil defense drill conducted across over 240 districts in India. Air-raid sirens, mock evacuations, and public readiness drills were organized to prepare civilians for possible escalation. The participation of multiple political parties in diplomatic outreach was another key feature. India dispatched all-party delegations to over 25 countries to present a unified national stance against terrorism and to garner global support.
The episode underlined how easily tensions between India and Pakistan can spiral, even in the absence of full-scale war. It raised vital questions about conflict management, international diplomacy, and the evolving doctrine of pre-emptive action in counter-terror operations. As the region returned to a fragile calm, the lessons of Operation Sindoor remained clear: in a nuclear-armed neighborhood, limited conflict can still carry far-reaching implications.
Q1. What immediate action did India take following the Pahalgam terror attack?
Q2. What was the name of India’s retaliatory military operation?
Q3. How long did Operation Sindoor last?
Q4. What kind of targets did India focus on during Operation Sindoor?
Q5. Which country brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10, 2025?
Q6. What domestic drill accompanied the military operation in India?
Q7. How many districts were involved in Operation Abhyaas?
Q8. What was the goal of India’s all-party foreign delegations?
Q9. Which international organization urged both countries to exercise restraint?
Q10. What treaty had remained intact even during past wars but was suspended this time?
Q11. What was Pakistan’s response to Operation Sindoor?
Q12. Which of the following best describes the nature of Operation Sindoor?
Q13. Why is the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty significant?
Q14. What issue did Operation Sindoor highlight about South Asia?
Q15. What was the public’s reaction in India after the Pahalgam attack?
Q16. What type of warfare was primarily used in Operation Sindoor?
Q17. Which ministry coordinated Operation Abhyaas?
Q18. What concern did global powers express during the conflict?
Q19. What is one long-term implication of Operation Sindoor?
Q20. What was a unique feature of India's diplomatic strategy post-conflict?