Operation Sindoor: PM Modi coined name for India's military response to Pahalagam

It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who named the Indian military strike, on nine terrorist targets in Pakistan following the terrorist massacre at Pahalgam, as “Operation Sindoor”. The attack was executed in the honour of the Hindu widows in the Pahalgam attack, said officials.

The prime minister chose the name after terrorists from Pakistan gunned down over two dozen Indian men in front of their wives and families, after learning they were Hindus, leaving their women widowed.

Significance of sindoor

Hindu women apply sindoor or vermilion on their heads once they marry and it signifies their married status. As widows, they will cease to apply it at the tip of the parting of their hair.

So, it was considered fitting that the operation to avenge the men’s deaths should be called 'Sindoor'.

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An image posted by the Indian Army has Operation Sindoor written in block letters.

The symbolism

One 'O' in sindoor is a bowl of vermilion. Some of it has spilled over, symbolising the ruthlessness that snatched away the life partners of 25 women. The caption read: "Justice is served. Jai Hind."

The 26th male shot dead by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22 was a Kashmiri Muslim.

Women hail air strikes

Some of the bereaved families hailed India's military response.

"I want to thank Prime Minister Modi for avenging my husband's death,” said Aishanya, whose husband Shubham Dwivedi was mercilessly killed in the meadow at Pahalgam on that fateful day.

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“Our family had trust in him and he has kept our trust alive. This is the real tribute to my husband. Wherever my husband is, he will be at peace today," Aishanya said.

Modi thanked

In Pune, Sangita Ganbote, the wife of Kaustubh Ganbote, said the government had shown respect for those who lost their husbands by naming the military strike Operation Sindoor.

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"I cannot forget that day. I cry every day. We were waiting for Modi to take such action, and he has given them a befitting reply,” she said. “Terrorists should be eliminated.”

Pragati Jagdale, who lost her husband Santosh Jagdale, said: "It's a befitting reply after the way those terrorists erased our sindoor. On hearing the name of this operation, I had tears in my eyes. I sincerely thank the government."

Modi monitors attack

According to official sources, Modi monitored the post-midnight attack.

The prime minister had pledged after the terrorist attack that India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers.

As part of 'Operation Sindoor', the Indian Air Force struck nine terrorist hideouts inside Pakistan and in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir.