Operation Sindoor: Decoding India’s answer to Pahalgam terror attack

In a tense and fast-moving geopolitical moment, India has launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians lost their lives on April 22. As reports pour in and official updates remain limited, The Federal’s Nisha P S spoke with senior journalist Puneet Nicholas Yadav to unpack what we know, how Pakistan is reacting, and what’s next.

Puneet, thank you for joining us. What can you tell us so far about India’s strikes on Pakistan?

Thank you, Nisha. As of now, the Indian Ministry of Defence and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) have confirmed that the Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on at least nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation has been codenamed 'Operation Sindoor'. While the government hasn’t yet released specific target locations or casualty figures, we do know that these were in direct retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. A more detailed briefing is expected later today.

Pakistan has responded by saying it “will respond at a time and place of its own choosing.” Now, it’s important to note that after the Pahalgam attack, both governments imposed certain media restrictions. In India, Pakistani news channels and government X handles have been withheld, so we lack direct access to Pakistan’s official statements.

However, international agencies like Reuters and The Guardian are reporting that Pakistani military and government sources have confirmed strikes at three sites: Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Additionally, Pakistan’s state broadcaster, PTV, is quoting security sources claiming that two Indian jets were shot down—but this remains unverified from the Indian side.

So there’s a difference in the number of sites hit — India says nine, Pakistan says three?

Correct. India is saying nine sites were targeted, but Pakistan, through its official sources, is only acknowledging three—Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli. This gap in numbers is something we’ll need to watch for as more information comes out from both governments.

Are there any confirmed details about casualties?

The Indian government hasn’t released any casualty or fatality numbers. Reuters and other outlets, quoting Pakistani sources, report that three civilians, including one child, have been killed, and 12 others injured. But again, I must stress: these are figures coming from Pakistan’s side, and we have no independent way to verify them right now.

With Pakistani media handles blocked in India, how are you piecing together the updates?

We’re relying heavily on international news agencies like Reuters, The Guardian, and on-the-ground reporters we can reach in Pakistan. Without direct access to Pakistani government handles or TV channels, we have to sift through cross-border reports cautiously, always keeping in mind what’s verified and what’s still speculation.

Given the situation, what should we expect next?

We expect a formal briefing from India’s Ministry of Defence later today, where we may get details on the targets, casualties, and the operation’s broader objectives. At the same time, Pakistan has signaled that it will decide how and when to respond, so the diplomatic and military situation remains extremely sensitive.

The content above has been generated using a fine-tuned AI model. To ensure accuracy, quality, and editorial integrity, we employ a Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) process. While AI assists in creating the initial draft, our experienced editorial team carefully reviews, edits, and refines the content before publication. At The Federal, we combine the efficiency of AI with the expertise of human editors to deliver reliable and insightful journalism.