Operation Sindoor LIVE: Followed principle of Lord Hanuman, says Rajnath
Armed forces avenge Pahalgam attack with missile strikes on 9 terror targets in Pak, POK; Modi chairs Cabinet meeting; Centre plans all-party meet on May 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (May 7) chaired a meeting of the Union Cabinet, hours after Operation Sindoor was launched to destroy terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He will also chair a meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS), which will take stock of the evolving situation, PTI said.
Retaliating against the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.
Like Lord Hanuman: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said later in the day, ‘Last night, our Indian armed forces displayed their valour and bravery, and scripted a new history. Indian armed forces took action with precision, alertness and sensitiveness. The targets we decided were accurately demolished at the right time with precision. Our armed forces also showed sensitivity in ensuring that civilian population is not affected at all. In a way, we can say that Indian jawans showed precision, alertness and humanity. On behalf of the entire country, I congratulate the jawans and officers. I also congratulate PM Modi for supporting the armed forces.”
He added, “We followed the principle followed by Lord Hanuman when he went into Ashok Vatika. Jinh mohi maara, tinh mohi maare. We targeted only those who killed our innocent citizens.”
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Modi cancelled his significant upcoming tour to Europe. The three-nation visit, which included scheduled stops in Croatia, Norway, and the Netherlands, was being planned for mid-May.
The Union government is holding an all-party meet at 11 am on Thursday, May 8.
What next after India's strikes? Watch The Federal Editor's take
Midnight rampage
The Defence Ministry said in a statement at 1.44 am, "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."
It said the actions by the Indian armed forces have been "focused, measured and non-escalatory" in nature and that no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted.
"India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution," it said.
Pak army's shelling
Pakistan army resorted to heavy artillery and mortar shelling targeting forward villages along the LoC after the strikes, leaving at least 12 people dead and many injured. The Indian Army also responded to the shelling, reportedly resulting in many casualties on the enemy side.
Also Watch: Operation Sindoor Explained
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Live Updates
- 7 May 2025 8:59 AM IST
Justice has been delivered: EPS
I commend the Indian Armed Forces for their precise execution of #OperationSindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam attack. Under the vigilant leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Thiru. @narendramodi Avl, justice has been delivered. This decisive action underscores our nation's unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and safeguarding our citizens: Edappadi Palaniswami
- 7 May 2025 8:57 AM IST
Operation Sindoor in a nutshell
#OperationSindoor | Here's all you need to know! #Pakistan #India #PoK #Kashmir #PahalgamTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/OnEQ5Kh8m0
— The Federal (@TheFederal_News) May 7, 2025 - 7 May 2025 8:32 AM IST
US Secretary of State Rubio speaks to NSAs of India, Pakistan, urges both to keep lines of communication open
Hours after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged the National Security Advisors of both countries to keep lines of communication open and avoid escalation, his office said on Wednesday.
“Earlier this afternoon, @SecRubio spoke to the national security advisors from India and Pakistan. He urged both to keep lines of communication open and avoid escalation,” the State Department said on a post X.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval spoke with Rubio “shortly after the strikes” and briefed him on the actions taken, the Indian Embassy in Washington said.
Rubio also spoke with Pakistani National Security Advisor Asim Malik.
Rubio said he is monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely and hopes this “ends quickly”.
"I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. 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," Rubio said in a post on X.
In a first reaction to the strikes launched by India against terror infrastructure in Pakistan, US President Donald Trump had said that India and Pakistan have been fighting for a long time and people knew “something was going to happen”.
When asked if he had any message for the countries, he said, “No, I just hope it ends very quickly.” A press release from the Embassy of India, Washington DC said that India’s actions have been focused and precise.
“They were measured, responsible and designed to be non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani civilian, economic or military targets have been hit. Only known terror camps were targeted." It said that “shortly after the strikes,” NSA Doval spoke with the US NSA and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and “briefed him on the actions taken.” In Islamabad, Geo News reported that Pakistan has informed the UNSC about the evolving situation between Pakistan and India, following the overnight military escalations across the border.
Also, Pakistan's Foreign Office said that Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan called Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and expressed concern over the deteriorating regional security situation.
- 7 May 2025 7:55 AM IST
#WATCH | On #OperationSindoor, Congress leader & former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot says, "Pahalgam attack was very painful. The entire Opposition along with Rahul Gandhi, had extended support to the government for action against Pakistan. Only time will tell what turn the… pic.twitter.com/RR77fpzXJN
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2025 - 7 May 2025 7:49 AM IST
Standing firmly with armed forces; time for unity, solidarity: Congress
This is a time for unity and solidarity and the Congress is standing firmly with the armed forces, the party said on Wednesday as Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said India's commitment to eliminating all sources of terrorism in Pakistan and PoK has necessarily to be uncompromising and always be anchored in the supreme national interest.
"This is a time for unity and solidarity. Right from the night of April 22nd, the Congress has been categorically stating that the government will have our fullest support in the nation's response to the Pahalgam terror attack," he said.
"The Congress is standing firmly with our armed forces," Ramesh said on X, using the hashtag "Operation Sindoor".
- 7 May 2025 7:48 AM IST
Jai Hind: Politicians hail Operation Sindoor strikes on Pakistan
Politicians from across party lines rallied around to laud missile strikes carried out by Indian armed forces on nine terror targets in Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor', posting patriotic slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind' on their social media handles.
"Bharat Mata ki Jai," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath greeted Operation Sindoor with "Jai Hind" and "Jai Hind ki Sena".
Maharashtra Deputy CM and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde posted on X, "Jai Hind. Operation Sindoor." Congress leader Randeep Surjewala echoed, posting "Jai Hind." LJP (Ram Vilas) leader and Union minister Chirag Paswan said, "Satyamev Jayate. Jai Hind ki Sena." Terror headquarters of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen were targeted under 'Operation Sindoor' with IAF carrying out night raids on the nine hideouts located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, officials said here on Wednesday.
Among the targets hit in a precise operation were 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).
