Asger Risom
Operation Sindoor Marks Largest Cross-Border Attack Since 2019
India has confirmed it used long-range precision weapons—including SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER smart bombs, and kamikaze drones—in its latest military operation targeting Pakistan. The strikes, carried out overnight under the codename Operation Sindoor, were a direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.
Advanced Weapons and Symbolism Behind the Operation
According to HotNews, nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir were struck. Indian authorities claim these facilities provided logistical and training support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), both designated terrorist organizations allegedly backed by the Pakistani state.
India deployed:
- SCALP (Storm Shadow) missiles: air-launched cruise missiles capable of striking deep into enemy territory with a range exceeding 250 km.
- HAMMER bombs: highly agile guided munitions effective against fortified structures, such as bunkers and multi-story training centers.
- Loitering drones: “kamikaze” systems used for real-time surveillance and target elimination.
The operation’s name, Sindoor—a red powder worn by married Hindu women—references the widows left behind after the April attack.
Air Clashes, Civilian Casualties, and Regional Fallout
Pakistan claims six locations were hit, with 24 distinct impact zones. A military spokesperson told Reuters that five Indian jets were shot down, though India has not confirmed the claim. Local officials in Indian Kashmir reported that three aircraft crashed in the Himalayas, with all pilots hospitalized.
The clashes resulted in:
- Pakistan: 8 dead, 35 injured, 2 missing.
- India: 7 civilians killed, 35 wounded due to Pakistani retaliatory shelling.
Both sides reported intense exchanges of artillery fire along the Line of Control (LoC).
Airspace Disruptions and Civilian Impact
India shut down multiple airports, prompting flight cancellations from carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet. Air India diverted two international routes. Qatar Airways suspended flights to Pakistan, while Pakistan International Airlines rerouted air traffic to Karachi.
On the ground, Pakistan’s Punjab province declared a state of emergency. Hospitals and security forces were put on high alert, and Muzaffarabad experienced temporary power outages. Schools across much of Jammu and Kashmir remained closed as tensions escalated.