India launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday early morning hitting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, the Defence ministry announced.
"A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor', hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed," an Indian Defence Ministry statement said.
"Altogether nine sites have been attacked," the statement added.
Missiles were used in these "precision strikes" on terror infrastructure. An Indian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi monitored the operation against Pakistan through the night.
Pakistan's army said six locations had been targeted. These include Markaz Subhan Allah at Bahawalpur, Sarjal at Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli and Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad (all of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group).
Markaz Taiba at Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith at Barnala and Shwawai Nalla camp at Muzaffarabad (all of banned Lashkar-e-Taiba) and Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot (camps and training centres of banned Hizbul Mujahideen were targeted.
Islamabad claims the strike killed at least 26 people including a child.
"Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution," the Indian Defence Ministry statement stated.
The Defence Ministry was clear in drawing a link between Pahalgam attack and the Indian response.
“These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable," the Ministry's statement said.
India did not officially disclose the locations targeted under 'Operation Sindoor' or the details of how it was carried out. The official press conference is slated to be held at 10 am.
According to reports, senior Indian officials are said to have briefed their counterparts in a number of countries on the attacks. Among these countries are the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Russia.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was also reported to have spoken with US NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, briefing him on the actions undertaken by India.
Sources indicated that the operation was jointly conducted by the Indian Army and the Air Force. While they did not provide specific details, they confirmed that "standoff" weapons were used in the strikes.
Although there is no official confirmation on the exact missiles deployed, the Indian Air Force's Rafale jets are equipped with Scalp and Hammer missiles, both capable of being launched from a standoff distance.
The Scalp is an air-launched cruise missile with a range of up to 250 km, while the Hammer is designed for precision ground strikes from long distances.
A standoff distance refers to the gap between the attacking platform and the target, allowing strikes to be carried out from a safe distance, away from enemy defences or the impact zone.
The Union Home Ministry had earlier directed several states to carry out mock drills on May 7 at around 250 locations in response to escalating tensions with Pakistan.
Pakistan claims civilian casualties
Pakistan said at 26 people died in the missiles strikes and five from artillery exchange along the Line of Control that separates the two countries in Kashmir.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, condemning the attack as a "heinous act of aggression", said, "a resolute response is already underway."
Seven civilians killed in indiscriminate firing by Pakistan army across LoC, IB
Seven persons, including a woman and two children, were killed and 38 others were injured in a major exchange of fire along the Line of Control and the International Borders across the Jammu and Kashmir light up with the Artillery pressed into action.
The Indian Army is responding to the shelling in equal measure, they said on the ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces after India carried out missile strikes against nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
All the seven deaths were reported in the worst-hit Poonch district with another 25 persons injured, the officials said.
Ten persons were injured in Uri sector of Baramulla district and three others were injured in Rajouri district, the officials said.
“During the night of 06-07 May 2025, Pakistan Army resorted to arbitrary firing including Artillery shelling from posts across the Line of Control and IB opposite J&K.” The Army said.
Three innocent civilians lost their lives in indiscriminate firing and shelling, they said.
Trump's reaction
US President Donald Trump was among the first leaders to react to the attack, expressing the hope that "it ends quickly".
“Nobody wants to see two powerful nations going down that road. These are countries with long histories and deep tensions, but the world needs peace, not more conflict,” he said.
"It's a shame, we just heard about it," Trump said at the White House, after India said it had hit "terrorist camps" in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
"I guess people knew something was going to happen based on the past. They've been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually, if you really think about it," he added.
"I just hope it ends very quickly," said Trump.
US Secretary of State Rubio in a post on X said that "I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely."
Rubio continued: "I echo @POTUS’s comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution."
China reacts
China on Wednesday expressed regret and urged both sides to show restraint in response to a major escalation between its nuclear-armed neighbours.
China, which shares land borders with both countries and is a close ally of Pakistan, said it expressed "regret over India's military action this morning" and said it was "concerned about the current developments".
"India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved apart, and they are also China's neighbours," a foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
"China opposes all forms of terrorism," they said.
"We call on both India and Pakistan to prioritise peace and stability, remain calm and restrained and avoid taking actions that further complicate the situation," the spokesperson added.
'World cannot afford' India-Pakistan confrontation: UN
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "very concerned" about Indian military strikes on Pakistan, his spokesperson said on Tuesday, hours after India said it hit nine sites in Pakistani territory.
"The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson.
Travel advisory issued
Several Indian airlines have suspended operations to and from key northern cities after the armed forces launched missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In response to the developing security situation, multiple airports—including Srinagar—have been shut for civilian operations, prompting widespread flight cancellations and diversions.
