Operation Sindoor (7 May): Explosive India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate with Airstrikes
In a bold overnight operation, India launched missile and air strikes called Operation Sindoor on nine locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Operation Sindoor targeting what it claimed were militant bases based on “credible intelligence.” The 25-minute-long Operation Sindoor, which occurred between 01:05 and 01:30 IST, reportedly left the region shaken by intense explosions.
Pakistan countered the narrative, stating that only six sites were hit. It also claimed to have downed five Indian jets and a drone—claims that India has not confirmed. Islamabad reported 26 fatalities and 46 injuries from the strikes and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC). Conversely, India alleged that ten civilians were killed due to Pakistani shelling on its side of the LoC.
This escalation follows last month’s Pahalgam terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 people. India claims clear links between the attackers and Pakistan-based terrorist organizations, a charge Pakistan denies, noting that India has not provided any supporting evidence.
Is This a New Phase in India-Pakistan Military Engagement?
This operation, dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” marks a significant shift. In previous years, India responded to attacks with surgical strikes, such as after the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. However, this time, India broadened its scope, striking nine militant targets tied to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Operation Sindoor Targets included two camps in Sialkot (6–18 km from the border), a JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur (100 km inside Pakistan), and a LeT facility in Muzaffarabad (30 km from the LoC). While Pakistan denies these were terror camps, Indian officials emphasize the precision and depth of the operation.
Analysts point out that this marks a geographical expansion beyond previous operations, with targets extending into Pakistan’s Punjab across the International Border. Experts like historian Srinath Raghavan and diplomat Ajay Bisaria describe this as a calculated step to reassert deterrence—a strategic response intended to discourage future cross-border terrorism.
Will Pakistan Retaliate, and Could This Escalate Further?
Most experts believe that Pakistan will respond, but the scale and nature of the retaliation remain uncertain. Some, like political analyst Dr. Ejaz Hussain, predict surgical strikes in return, which could risk escalating into broader conflict. Others, like U.S.-based scholar Christopher Clary, argue that a failure to respond could be seen as tacit acceptance of Indian strikes.
Although public sentiment in Pakistan appears more restrained compared to past conflicts, pressure could build—especially in Punjab, where anti-India sentiments run high. Analysts suggest that the Pakistani military might use the conflict to regain public support amid recent criticism for political interference.
Can De-escalation Be Achieved?
India has taken a mix of military and diplomatic steps, such as suspending border crossings, expelling Pakistani diplomats, halting visas, and barring Pakistani aircraft. Pakistan has mirrored these moves, including suspending a key 1972 peace treaty.
Similar steps were taken following the 2019 Pulwama attack, which eventually led to de-escalation after diplomatic engagement and the release of captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.
According to former diplomat Bisaria, successful crisis diplomacy could again prevent full-scale war if both nations achieve their immediate goals and claim strategic success domestically.
Details of Operation Sindoor: Pahalgam Attack Avenged
India’s early morning Operation Sindoor on May 7 targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK: Sawai Nala and Syedna Belal camps in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur, Abbas, Barnala, Sarjal, Mehmoona Joya camps, and LeT bases—Markaz Taiba and Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur.
The strike was a response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack and aimed at dismantling a long-standing cross-border terror infrastructure. Intelligence identified these camps as hubs for recruitment, training, and launch operations (Operation Sindoor) for militants tied to major terror attacks like Pulwama and the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Indian officials emphasized that the strikes were precise, restrained, and avoided civilian harm—targeting only known terrorist facilities. Pakistan, however, disputed these claims.
Nationwide Civil Defence Drills Conducted
Coinciding with the strikes, India conducted civil defence drills across 244 districts, emphasizing emergency preparedness. The Ministry of Home Affairs led this first-of-its-kind national safety exercise in decades, reinforcing domestic readiness amid rising regional tensions.
Nationwide Civil Defence Drills Conducted Amid Regional Tensions
In a significant move to bolster domestic preparedness, the Indian government conducted a large-scale civil defence drill on May 7, 2025, across 244 districts nationwide. This exercise was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and marked the most extensive civil defence operation in the country in recent decades.
Objective and Scope of the Drill
The primary goal of the exercise was to test and enhance India’s emergency response capabilities in the face of rising security threats and regional instability. Officials stated that the drill focused on preparing citizens and local authorities for various emergency scenarios, including air raid alerts, missile strikes, and natural disasters.
These mock drills included coordinated evacuations, use of sirens, emergency communication tests, and first-aid response protocols. Schools, hospitals, government buildings, and marketplaces participated in simulation exercises, ensuring community-wide involvement.
Integration with Military Preparedness
The timing of the drill—coinciding with the Indian Air Force’s Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK—highlighted the strategic importance of civil defence in modern hybrid warfare. While the military executed precision strikes across the border, civilian agencies were put through the paces to prepare for potential retaliatory scenarios.
Senior officials emphasized that civil defence is no longer confined to wartime scenarios but is a critical component of homeland security. The synchronized timing between the military operation and domestic preparedness efforts underlined the government’s emphasis on total national security.
Key Participants and Activities
Civil defence volunteers, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, local police, fire brigades, healthcare workers, and community leaders were all actively involved. The drills also tested inter-agency coordination and the efficacy of local emergency infrastructure, such as underground shelters, medical facilities, and public communication systems.
Notable districts with high-profile drills included:
- Srinagar and Jammu – where heightened alertness was maintained due to proximity to the Line of Control (LoC).
- Delhi NCR and Mumbai – where critical infrastructure and dense populations were major focus points.
- Border areas in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat – where residents participated in mock evacuations and air raid siren tests.
Public Awareness and Training
The government launched public awareness campaigns through radio, television, and social media, informing citizens about the purpose of the drills and encouraging participation. Training sessions on basic survival skills, emergency kits, and community alert systems were also conducted.
Feedback from participants suggested that the drills not only boosted confidence but also highlighted areas needing improvement—such as communication lags and shelter accessibility in remote areas.
Statements from Officials
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated:
“These civil defence drills are essential to ensure that our population is not only aware of emergency protocols but is also actively involved in national preparedness. With evolving threats, civil readiness must complement military strength.”
Defence analysts have praised the move as a necessary step toward building a resilient nation where citizens play a proactive role in crisis management.
India Conducts Nationwide Civil Defence Preparedness Drills Amid Regional Tensions
In a significant step to strengthen Civil Defence Preparedness, the Indian government conducted a large-scale civil defence drill on May 7, 2025, covering 244 districts across the country. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this initiative marked the largest and most comprehensive Civil Defence Preparedness exercise in recent history.
Objective and Scope of the Drill
The primary goal of this massive operation was to enhance Civil Defence Preparedness in light of rising regional tensions and evolving threats. Authorities stated that the exercise aimed to test India’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies such as air raids, missile strikes, and natural disasters.
The drills focused on community-level Civil Defence Preparedness, including mock evacuations, siren tests, emergency communications, and first-aid response simulations. Educational institutions, hospitals, marketplaces, and local authorities participated to ensure a holistic Civil Defence Preparedness effort.
Integration with Military Strategy
The drills were timed to align with the Indian Air Force’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. This synchronization underscored the importance of integrating military readiness with Civil Defence Preparedness at the civilian level.
Security experts noted that this represents a strategic shift, acknowledging that comprehensive national defence requires public engagement and robust Civil Defence Preparedness mechanisms.
Participants and Key Activities
The Civil Defence Preparedness drills saw the participation of civil defence volunteers, NDRF personnel, police, fire services, and healthcare workers. The goal was to test the operational efficiency of emergency infrastructure like bomb shelters, medical aid stations, and communication channels.
Districts including Srinagar, Jammu, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and border regions in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat reported active participation and high public awareness. These areas simulated various emergency scenarios to elevate local Civil Defence Preparedness.
Public Awareness and Community Training
A national awareness campaign was rolled out alongside the drills to inform citizens about Civil Defence Preparedness protocols. People were trained in emergency evacuation, basic survival skills, and how to respond to air raid sirens and alerts.
Public feedback indicated that the Civil Defence Preparedness drills were timely, relevant, and educational—exposing both strengths and critical gaps in readiness.
Statements from Officials
An official from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated:
“In the current security environment, Civil Defence Preparedness is not optional—it is essential. Our citizens must be ready and resilient, and these drills are a major step in that direction.”
Defence analysts have commended the initiative, calling it a critical measure to embed Civil Defence Preparedness in India’s national security strategy.