Operation Sindoor a Success: Indian Army Confirms 35–40 Pakistani Soldiers and 100 Terrorists Eliminated
#News Bureau May12,2025
The Indian armed forces achieved significant success in Operation Sindoor, successfully thwarting Pakistani assaults along the Line of Control (LoC). Notably, several terrorists linked to the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama attack were also eliminated during the operation
In a joint press conference held on Sunday, the Indian Armed Forces announced the major success of ‘Operation Sindoor’. According to military officials, between May 7 and 10, 35 to 40 Pakistani soldiers were killed along the Line of Control (LoC). In addition, precision strikes on nine terrorist hideouts resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists, including key operatives involved in the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. The operation was launched in retaliation for the terrorist assault in Pahalgam on April 22.
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), stated that Operation Sindoor commenced during the night of May 6–7. Indian forces struck nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and a Lashkar-e-Taiba training camp in Muridke. Among those killed were Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed—key figures behind the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama bombing.
Key Terrorists Eliminated in Operation Sindoor; Indian Air Force Conducts Precision Strikes
Yusuf Azhar, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and the mastermind behind the 1999 IC-814 hijacking—which led to Masood Azhar’s release—was among those eliminated in Operation Sindoor. Mudasir Ahmed, involved in the 2019 Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel, was also killed. Additionally, Abdul Rauf Azhar, a key figure in both the 2001 Parliament attack and the Pathankot airbase assault, was neutralized in Bahawalpur.
Air Marshal A.K. Bharti confirmed that the Indian Air Force executed precision airstrikes using air-to-surface guided missiles on terror training camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke. “Our objective was clear—to target terrorists and their infrastructure, while avoiding civilian or military sites in Pakistan,” he said. He also disclosed that several Pakistani jets were shot down during the operation, though exact numbers were not released.
Pakistani Retaliation and Civilian Impact
In response to Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched heavy firing and drone strikes along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border. DGMO Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai reported that Pakistani attacks deliberately targeted civilians, settlements, and even religious sites such as gurdwaras. One such attack in Poonch tragically killed 10 people, including three Gursikhs, and damaged numerous homes and shops in the districts of Poonch, Kupwara, and Baramulla.
Five Indian soldiers were martyred in the course of Operation Sindoor. Lt. Gen. Ghai paid tribute to them and the civilians who lost their lives. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the funeral of Rifleman Sunil Kumar, martyred in Pakistani firing in the RS Pura sector, and honored his sacrifice.
Diplomatic and Political Reactions
Lt. Gen. Ghai also stated that another hotline message was sent to his Pakistani counterpart on May 10, highlighting the ceasefire violations and warning of a strong retaliatory response. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has granted western sector commanders full authority to respond decisively in the ‘kinetic domain’.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the investigation into the April 22 Pahalgam attack had clearly exposed Pakistan’s involvement with terrorist elements. He called on Pakistan to halt violations and take full responsibility for the escalating situation.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed credit for facilitating the ceasefire and expressed willingness to assist both countries on the Kashmir issue. However, India firmly rejected any external mediation.
Indian political leaders across party lines voiced support for Operation Sindoor. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav extended solidarity with the armed forces. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire.
Following the ceasefire, normalcy is gradually returning to border regions including Uri, Gurez, Bandipora, and other affected villages in Kashmir.
