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 6:06 PM IST
Jaishankar briefs his counterparts in Spain, France, Japan
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefs his counterparts in Japan, Spain and France on Operation Sindoor. He appreciated the strong condemnation of Pahalgam terror attack by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.
- 7 May 2025 5:56 PM IST
Operation Sindoor : UK PM calls for Indo-Pak dialogue
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that the UK is engaging with both India and Pakistan to push for dialogue and de-escalation after Indian military strikes on terror targets in the neighbouring country under Operation Sindoor.
Opening the Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) session in the House of Commons, Starmer raised the issue of the rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
His remarks came soon after Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a statement to say he had been in contact with his counterparts in both countries to urge “restraint”.
"Rising tensions between India and Pakistan will be of serious concern for many across Britain,” Starmer told Parliament.
“We are engaging urgently with both countries, as well as other international partners, encouraging dialogue, de-escalation and the protection of civilians,” he said.
Lammy in his statement reiterated the UK’s “serious concern” caused by tensions between India and Pakistan.
“The UK government is urging India and Pakistan to show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward,” said Lammy.
“The UK has close and unique relationships with both countries. I have made clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if this escalates further, nobody wins. The UK was clear in its condemnation of the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month. We need all sides to work urgently to see regional stability restored and ensure protection of civilians,” he said. It came soon after the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advisory under the “Warnings and Insurance” section for India, “following military activity by India and Pakistan" on 6 May in and around Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Line of Control and warned of potential disruption to flights to and from India as well as an alert over the government’s Civil Defence mock drills.
“The safety of British nationals in the region will always be our priority. The FCDO continues to monitor developments closely and stands ready to support any British nationals 24/7. Any British nationals in the region should follow the FCDO’s travel advice for the country they are in, along with the advice of the local authorities,” Lammy added.
- 7 May 2025 5:30 PM IST
Kerala holds mock drills
Mock drills were held at important locations in 14 districts of Kerala on Wednesday to prepare for a possible emergency in the backdrop of simmering tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
At the Collectorate building in Ernakulam, the drill started with an alarm and the lights were switched off.
The six-floor building at Kakkanad became dark, and the windows were closed to create a real-life emergency setting.
Soon, a fire was simulated on the upper floors. Smoke spread, and the building was quickly filled with darkness.
Rescue operations began immediately. Firefighters, police teams, and civil defence volunteers took part in the drill.
All people inside the building were safely evacuated.
The district collector also took part in the drill and supervised the rescue work.
One person was shown as injured during the drill. He was given first aid and placed on a stretcher.
With the help of the police, he was taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance.
A civil defence volunteer showed great bravery by carrying one person on his shoulder from the upper floor to safety.
The fire was put out using proper firefighting equipment.
The drill aimed to check how quickly and safely rescue teams can respond during a war-like emergency, government sources said.
- 7 May 2025 5:29 PM IST
Mock drills held in Hyderabad
Rescue personnel evacuated people and shifted the 'injured' in civil defence mock drills involving the police, fire services, and disaster response forces in four locations in the city on Wednesday.
The mock drill was held as per instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) amid rising tensions with Pakistan post the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 persons, mostly tourists, dead.
The drills were carried out in Secunderabad, Golkonda, Kanchan Bagh, and the Nacharam NFC area.
Sirens were activated at 4 pm within the Outer Ring Road (ORR), signalling the start of the drill.
Citizens were instructed to stay indoors, seek shelter, and take cover.
Rescue personnel evacuated people from buildings using ropes, provided medical aid, and shifted the 'injured' during the operations.
Sirens were sounded again at 4.30 pm to mark the end of the drills.
Senior police officials monitored the mock drills from the Integrated Command and Control Centre.
Authorities had earlier informed the public not to panic, clarifying that it was a safety preparedness exercise.
- 7 May 2025 5:28 PM IST
Civil defence mock drills conducted in Aizwal
Mock drills were carried out at a few designated locations in Mizoram’s Aizawl on Wednesday to check the preparedness of security agencies, officials said.
The exercise was part of a nationwide civil defence mock drill 'Operation Abhyaas', simulating multiple hostile scenarios like air raids, fire emergencies, and search and rescue operations, they said.
The drills were conducted in a 2-km stretch between the All India Radio (AIR) station at Tuikhuahtlang locality and Aizawl civil hospital in Dawrpui, an official said.
As part of the exercise, there will be a blackout for five minutes from 6:30 pm to 6:35 pm in Aizawl, he said.
All moving vehicles will also halt at their respective locations, switch off their engines and lights during the five-minute drill, the official said.
The drills come in the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor' carried out by the Indian armed forces early on Wednesday.
Retaliating against the Pahalgam terror attack, the armed forces carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
