India initiated a targeted and proportionate military action called action Sindoor in response to the savage terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The strike, carried out by the Indian Armed Forces, targeted infrastructure used by Pakistan-backed terror groups without engaging Pakistani military assets. This was an unmistakable message: India will no longer tolerate terrorism without repercussion.
Notwithstanding New Delhi’s measured reaction, Pakistan used drones and missiles to target Indian military installations in the northern and western regions in an effort to incite more fighting. Among these were important strategic areas like Chandigarh, Adampur, Bhuj, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jammu, Pathankot, Awantipora, and Srinagar. But without losing any material, India’s Air Defense network and Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Grid were able to neutralize these threats.
Pakistan used indiscriminate shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), targeting civilian populations in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri, in contrast to India’s purposeful restraint. Sixteen Indian citizens, including three women and five children, were killed in these unjustified strikes using mortars and heavy artillery. Such acts further highlight Pakistan’s long-standing practice of using civilian populations as collateral in its asymmetric warfare strategy.
India reacted to these provocations by attacking Pakistan’s air defense systems tactically. Notably, it was stated that an air defense system in Lahore had been neutralized. Indian military officials reiterated their commitment to de-escalation—as long as it was reciprocated—and confirmed that their response matched the scope and severity of Pakistani aggression. Some reports also suggested that Kamakaze drones were used in this response. These
Pakistan ’s Air Defence units of HQ-9 air defence missile collapses.
— Rahul Jha (@JhaRahul_Bihar) May 8, 2025
It's a deadly #DroneAttack everywhere in Pakistan in #Lahore ,Sialkot, Karachi, Rawalpindi.
Islamabad next ….! pic.twitter.com/yGd6PRHB83
On the international front, India’s stance has gained more traction. The United States, France, the United Kingdom, and Australia are among the major nations that have supported India’s right to self-defense. Washington reaffirmed India’s “legitimate right to defend its citizens and territory against acts of terror” in a statement released by the U.S. State Department. India’s need to maintain national security was acknowledged by France, which called the Pahalgam massacre an act of “unjustifiable savagery.”
Indian drones in Lahore, Sindh, Karachi, Rawalpindi, even near airports, military establishments- Pak Air Defence in Shatters… Public in Panic pic.twitter.com/ZoLAQz2ddo
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) May 8, 2025
Even Middle Eastern countries that are typically noncommittal, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, released comments calling on Pakistan to destroy terrorist networks that operate within its borders. This increasing backing highlights a change in attitudes around the world. India is increasingly viewed as a stabilizing force that uses its military might with restrained purpose and democratic responsibility rather than as a dangerous actor.
However, it is important to avoid misinterpreting India’s strategic caution. India’s security posture has evolved doctrinally, as evidenced by Operation Sindoor. The days of merely denouncing someone verbally are over. Every act of aggression will now elicit a precise and appropriate military response, regardless of whether it is carried out by direct military antagonism or through proxy militants. India’s leadership has indicated that the country’s threshold for inaction has been recalculated and that its patience is limited.
This strategy fits with the larger geopolitical course that India has taken recently. India is claiming its right to defend its borders, safeguard its citizens, and maintain strategic stability in South Asia as a regional force with increasing economic, military, and diplomatic clout. The approach is based on deterrence rather than retaliation.
Thus, Operation Sindoor represents a watershed. It conveys to allies and enemies alike that India will use force to achieve peace. In addition to their exceptional technological readiness, the Indian Armed Forces have shown a steadfast dedication to defending the country without resorting to needless escalation.
India continues to advocate for moderation and stability, but it has also made it clear—in deeds, not words—that it will not hold back when its sovereignty is questioned and its citizens are harmed. India’s legitimacy, responsibilities, and growing prominence in a precarious global order are all reaffirmed by the international community’s support for its position.
