India's Operation Sindoor: 2 Women Officers Lead Retaliation Briefing

India's Operation Sindoor: In a symbolic and powerful move, two women officers – Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi – along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressed the media about Operation Sindoor. This shows India’s strong stand against terrorism and also honours the wives of those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 people were killed.

Also Read: India Army's press briefing on Operation Sindoor begins

Why the Name ‘Sindoor’?

The operation is named Sindoor, referring to the red powder worn by married Hindu women. It also reflects the tragic loss in Pahalgam, where many married men were specifically targeted and killed by terrorists based on their religion.

India Hits Back with Precision Strikes

India’s armed forces – Army, Navy, and Air Force – worked together in this mission. Using advanced weapons, they attacked nine terror-related locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Army confirmed that the operation aimed to stop planned attacks against India.

Big Strikes in Terror Hotspots

Two of the most important targets were:

• Bahawalpur: A strong base of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)
• Muridke: Home to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) main centre – Masjid wa Markaz Taiba, known as the "terror nursery" of Pakistan

At each of these sites, around 25–30 terrorists were reportedly killed.

Total Casualties Could Be as High as 90

Other targeted locations included terror training camps and ideological centres connected to groups like JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Intelligence teams estimate that about 80–90 terrorists were eliminated.

Pakistan's Reaction

Pakistan claimed that eight civilians, including a child, died in the strikes. They called the action a “blatant act of war.” However, Indian officials said that no Pakistani military buildings were attacked. Still, some parts of Pakistan’s Army and ISI were believed to be supporting these terror camps.

Cross-Border Firing Follows Strikes

After the Indian strikes, Pakistan responded with heavy shelling along the Line of Control and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir. Three Indian civilians were killed. Indian forces responded strongly, and firing between both sides continued.

Also Read: Operation Sindoor: India Hits Jaish, Lashkar, Hizbul Bases in Major Counter-Terror Strike