In a decisive and strategic counter-terrorism effort, India executed Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, delivering a significant blow to terrorist groups based in Pakistan. This operation is a direct response to the Pahalgam massacre, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, predominantly tourists, and represents one of India’s most notable military actions in recent years.
Intelligence sources indicate that Rauf Azhar, a prominent commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and a key figure behind the 1999 IC814 hijacking, may have been killed during the operation. Although his death has not been officially confirmed, it is being regarded as a long-awaited step toward justice for the murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002.
Operation Sindoor commenced at 1:05 AM, targeting nine terror camps situated in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The assault focused on infrastructure utilized by JeM, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. A notable hit involved the Subhan Allah complex in Bahawalpur, leading to the reported deaths of ten family members of JeM chief Masood Azhar, as confirmed by BBC Urdu.
India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, emphasized that the operation was aimed exclusively at terrorist infrastructure and not civilian areas. However, this has not prevented an increase in tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), as Pakistan has begun cross-border shelling in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting immediate retaliatory action from Indian forces, though no casualties have been reported.
Rauf Azhar has long been designated as a terrorist by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and has been linked to the planning of the IC814 hijacking, which resulted in India’s release of JeM founder Masood Azhar in 1999. Additional allegations implicate him in the orchestration of Daniel Pearl’s abduction and subsequent murder in Karachi, with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed of Al-Qaeda identified as the primary executor.
The unresolved nature of Pearl’s murder has long symbolized a failure in international justice. In recent years, both the Sindh High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan overturned the conviction of Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main accused, leading to widespread condemnation from Pearl’s family and the U.S. government.
If confirmed, Rauf Azhar’s death would mark a significant measure of justice for the Pearl family. Judea Pearl, the father of the slain journalist, has continuously sought accountability, and the U.S. has reiterated its support for that mission.
Operation Sindoor not only showcases military precision but also indicates India’s shift towards a more proactive and retaliatory stance in its counter-terrorism strategy. JeM has previously taken credit for major attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Parliament strike, the 2016 Pathankot incident, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.
Responses to the operation have varied, with families of the Pahalgam victims expressing gratitude, while concerns about potential escalation of conflict loom. Concurrent explosions in Lahore and temporary disruptions in air traffic further underscore the broader implications of the strike.
The unfolding dynamics of Operation Sindoor could potentially alter regional security narratives significantly, with both India and the international community adopting a firmer approach against terror havens. While Pakistan has accused India of targeting civilians—claims that India categorically denies—the message from New Delhi is resolute: acts of terror will provoke decisive military responses.
As India continues to monitor the LoC and navigate escalating diplomatic tensions, the outcomes of Operation Sindoor have the potential to initiate a new phase in South Asia’s ongoing anti-terror campaign.
