New Delhi, May 7, 2025: At least 15 civilians were killed and 43 injured in heavy Pakistani shelling and firing along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, following India’s launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’ in retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre, where 26 people were killed by terrorists.
India launched precision airstrikes around 1:05 AM on Tuesday, targeting nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were aimed at neutralizing terror outfits including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. These strikes lasted 25 minutes and were described by the Indian government as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.”
Pakistan Retaliation Kills Civilians
Pakistan responded with indiscriminate shelling in Poonch and Tangdhar, resulting in 15 civilian deaths and 43 injuries. India Today reported extensive damage to homes in border villages, including visuals of homes flattened and debris scattered across entire neighborhoods.
Three Gursikhs were killed when Pakistani forces targeted the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sahib in Poonch. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal called for their recognition as martyrs and urged the government to compensate bereaved families. “Sikhs have always been, and will continue to be, the sword arm of India,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Evacuation and Civilian Safety Measures
Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered immediate evacuation of civilians near the LoC and IB. He is in continuous contact with BSF DG Daljit Singh Chawdhary, J&K LG Manoj Sinha, and CM Omar Abdullah. Shah emphasized that protecting lives is India’s top priority. NDTV confirms ongoing evacuation efforts in high-risk areas.
Key Targets Destroyed in Pakistan
India’s Air Force struck the following nine camps:
- Subhan Allah Camp, Bahawalpur
- Masjid wa Markaz Taiba, Muridke
- Gulpur, Sawai, Bilal, Kotli, Barnala, Sarjal, Mehmoona (in PoK)
Visuals accessed by India Today showed the Subhan Allah camp in ruins. According to Hindustan Times, Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar confirmed the deaths of 10 family members, including his sister and four senior associates.
Operation’s Strategic Intent
The Indian government described Operation Sindoor as a “calibrated response” to neutralize the infrastructure enabling terrorist attacks like the Pahalgam massacre. Defence sources stated that several Pakistani military posts were also damaged in retaliatory Indian Army shelling in Kupwara and Rajouri sectors.
All Indian Air Force pilots involved in the strikes returned safely. Over 80 terrorists associated with LeT, JeM, and Hizbul were confirmed killed, sources said.
Follow live Operation Sindoor updates for real-time developments.
