Operation Sindoor LIVE: Followed principle of Lord Hanuman, says Rajnath

Operation Sindoor: PM Modi hails action by armed forces during Cabinet meeting, say sources

Tamil Nadu hails Operation Sindoor targeting terror camps in Pakistan

Top leaders of major political parties of Tamil Nadu led by DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday welcomed armed forces carrying out precision strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In a post on 'X,' Stalin said: "Tamil Nadu stands with the Indian Army against terrorism. With our Army, for our nation. Tamil Nadu stands resolute."

AIADMK general secretary, former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said: "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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi justice has been delivered. This decisive action underscores our nation's unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and safeguarding our citizens."

PMK top leader Anbumani Ramadoss said all the steps that have been taken for the sake of nation's security were correct. "Let us all stand in solidarity with the Central government," he added.

Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam founder leader, actor-politician Vijay said, "royal salute" to the Army for its action.

Superstar Rajinikanth in a social media post said: "The fighter's fight begins...No stopping until the mission is accomplished! The entire NATION is with you.".

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam chief TTV Dhinakaran and expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala were among others who hailed the action against terror. 

Uttarakhand CM congratulates Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday (May 7) congratulated the Indian armed forces for carrying out missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Dhami said in a post that it was India's retaliation against "Atankistan", a reference to Pakistan.

In another post which began with a couplet in Sanskrit, he said," Shaurya Tejah Sanyamasch, yatra Bharatsainikah. Vijayam teshu nityam syat, jayatu Bharat Mata (wherever there are Indian armed forces, there is valour, strength and discipline. May they always be triumphant - victory be to Mother India).

Border residents in Kashmir jittery as guns roar across LoC after ‘Op Sindoor’

Residents in the border areas of Kashmir spent an anxious night as guns roared from across the Line of Control following missile strikes by Indian armed forces on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early Wednesday.

It was a long night for the residents living near the Line of Control (LoC), as Pakistani troops resorted to ceasefire violations after India carried missile strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' against nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.

Heavy shelling by Pakistani troops was reported in Karnah and Uri sectors in north Kashmir's Kupwara and Baramulla districts, respectively, officials said.

Security forces on this side of the fence also retaliated and cross-border shelling between the two sides was going on when last reports were received, officials said, adding that the Pakistani shelling forced people to take refuge in underground bunkers where they spent a tensed night.

This was the 13th consecutive night of unprovoked firing along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir amid heightened tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

At least 10 civilians, including three children, were injured and many buildings were damaged after Pakistani forces resorted to heavy shelling in the Uri sector, the officials said.

A local from Uri, Atif Ahmad, said the residents had to flee to safer locations as the shelling was intense.

“We spent a sleepless night due to the heavy shelling. We saw such intense shelling after a very long time,” Ahmad said.

At Karnah in Kupwara district, the residents had to take shelter in underground bunkers to escape the shelling, the officials said.

Some houses and other buildings suffered heavy damage, while few caught fire due to the heavy shelling from across the LoC, they said.

“We spent a terrible long night. It was as if the night would never end. Our hearts sank every time we heard a loud bang of heavy shells. We had to move to safer locations and take shelter to save our lives amid the heavy shelling,” Naseer Ahmad, a local resident, said.

Elsewhere in the Kashmir valley, including in Srinagar, people spent an anxious night after news broke about the missile strikes.

With heightened air activity around Srinagar, many residents were awake through the second half of the night, anxiously monitoring social media and news reports.

Many were worried about Pakistan's retaliation in the wake of India’s missile strikes.

“I was woken up by the noise as jets were flying around. I checked social media and came to know about the strikes in Pakistan. I was awake the rest of the night, checking social media for information,” Srinagar resident Owais Nisar said.

He also said the whole of Jammu and Kashmir would remain tense and worried for the next few days in the wake of the missile strikes and the heavy shelling on the borders

Over 200 flights cancelled; 18 airports temporarily closed

More than 200 flights have been cancelled and at least 18 airports, including Srinagar, have been temporarily shut for operations amid restrictions in the wake of the armed forces launching missile attacks against Pakistan on Wednesday morning.

Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and a few foreign airlines cancelled their services to and from various airports.

Sources said that at least 18 airports in the northern and western parts of the country have been temporarily shut. These airports include Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala and Jamnagar, they added.

According to the source, more than 200 flights to and from various airports have been cancelled by airlines, with IndiGo alone cancelling around 160 flights.

Union govt has called for an all-party meet tomorrow after India hits terror camps in Pak

'Operation Sindoor': Sports stars laud India's action in Pak

"Fearless in unity. Boundless in strength," said cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar as he led India's sporting fraternity in lauding 'Operation Sindoor' to destroy terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.

Former cricketers Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pthan, Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan also took to the social media platform in hailing India's strong response to the barbaric attack.

"Agar koi aap par patthar phenke toh uspar Phool Phenko, Lekin Gamle ke saath (If someone throws stones at you then respond with flowers but not without the pots they are planted in). Jai Hind," Sehwag wrote.

Dhawan added: "India takes a stand against terrorism." Pathan and badminton ace Saina Nehwal tweeted: "Jai Hind." Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt too praised the retaliatory strikes.

"Bharat Mata ki Jai," wrote Vijender Yogeshwar added: "India's zero tolerance towards terrorism!! Jai Hind - Jai Jawan #sindoor." Chess ace Vidith Gujrathi said brutal terrorist attacks like the one in Pahalgam should always be punished.

"I am glad India responded firmly with Operation Sindoor after the horrific Pahalgam attack. Terrorism must never go unanswered. And what a beautiful name for the operation. Bharat Mata ki Jai!," Gujrathi wrote. 

Russia expresses ‘deep concern’ at escalation of tensions between India, Pakistan

 Russia on Wednesday (May 7) expressed deep concern at the escalation of military confrontation between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

“We are deeply concerned about the intensifying military confrontation between India and Pakistan after the terrorist attack near the city of Pahalgam,” Russia Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by state-run news agency TASS.

Russia strongly condemns acts of terrorism, opposes any of its manifestations and emphasises the need to unite the efforts of the entire world community to effectively combat this evil, Zakharova said.

“We call on the parties involved to exercise restraint in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation in the region.

"We hope that the differences between New Delhi and Islamabad will be resolved through peaceful, political and diplomatic means on a bilateral basis in accordance with the provisions of the Simla Agreement of 1972 and the Lahore Declaration of 1999,” the spokesperson said in a statement in the wake of 'Operation Sindoor'.

Bengal political parties hail 'Operation Sindoor'

The ruling TMC and the opposition BJP lauded the Indian armed forces for executing 'Operation Sindoor' against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hailed the strike with a salutation 'Jai Hind, Jai India' on social media, while Union Minister and state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said the strike sent a message that the country has "zero tolerance to terror".

The missile strikes were carried out under 'Operation Sindoor' two weeks after the massacre of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

"This is New India — we enter their homes and destroy terror!" Majumdar said.

TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh also hailed the strike on terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"Let Team India keep going, let Team India win. The entire country is on the side of jawans. Rest of the words will be spoken later. Jai Hind," he said.

As a "proud Indian my support goes for the Indian army", Ghosh also said.

"Let the terror camps be razed to the ground, let there be more such emphatic response to terror attacks on our people," said Ghosh, also the TMC state spokesperson.

TMC spokesman Joy Prakash Majumdar told PTI, "We support any action by our forces for the sovereignty of the country and security of our citizens and emphatic action against terror." He also said, "We have been told about India's supremacy in the air and on the ground as compared to Pakistan. So, there should not be any apprehension among the people of this country about Pakistan. We are united." He was alluding to the mock drill announced by the Centre, which will be held across the country on Wednesday.

'Op Sindoor has dealt severe blow to terrorism': Ex-Rajasthan CM Gehlot

Welcoming the strikes carried out by the Indian Armed Forces on nine terrorist bases in Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor', former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that people stand with the Indian Army and the Government of India.

"Operation Sindoor has dealt a severe blow to terrorism by destroying Pakistani terrorist bases," he said.

Gehlot posted on X, "The Congress Party and the whole of India welcome this action and we stand strongly with the Indian Army and the Government of India." Talking to PTI, he said that the Congress party had expressed trust in the government and the defence forces.

"All, including Rahul Gandhi, said in one voice that we are with the government," the senior Congress leader said.

Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasra also welcomed the attack.