India responded swiftly and forcefully to cross-border terrorism. In late April 2025, a Jaish-e-Mohammed–linked attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir) killed 26 civilians. Within days, on May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, a precision missile campaign against known terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. BrahMos cruise missiles and other long-range weapons struck nine terrorist launch sites belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, destroying key infrastructure and reportedly killing over 100 militants. These surprise strikes dismantled terror networks before they could regroup.
Pakistani leaders later acknowledged the effectiveness of India’s action. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif admitted that the Pakistani Army was “caught off guard” by India’s BrahMos missile strikes on the intervening night of May 9–10. He said Pakistan had prepared to launch a counterattack at 4:30 AM after Fajr prayers, but “before that hour even arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using BrahMos,” striking several provinces including Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan airbase. The strikes hit Rawalpindi Airport and other strategic locations just hours before Pakistan’s planned offensive. This rapid, preemptive action underscored India’s military preparedness and strategic dominance, as Indian armed forces anticipated the threat and used high-precision missiles to neutralize it.
Operation Sindoor: Timeline of Events
India and Pakistan experienced a brief but intense conflict from May 7–10, 2025. Key events include:
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April 22: A terrorist attack in Pahalgam (J&K) kills 26 pilgrims. Tensions surge as Hindu worshippers are targeted, prompting calls for a strong response.
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May 7 (early hours): Operation Sindoor begins. India launches air and missile strikes on nine terror launch pads in Pakistan/PoK, hitting camps tied to JeM and LeT. These strikes destroy insurgent bases and mark the first time India used BrahMos cruise missiles on Pakistani soil.
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May 9–10 (pre-dawn): Pakistan’s army prepares for an early morning assault (Sharif later says at 4:30 AM), but India strikes first. BrahMos missiles hit military targets including Nur Khan Airbase (Rawalpindi) and Rawalpindi Airport, preventing Pakistan’s planned counterstrike.
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May 10 (day): Pakistan retaliates with border shelling and drone attacks. India responds with follow-up strikes on enemy radar and command centers. Notably, the Indian Air Force (using Su-30MKI jets with BrahMos) damages Pakistan’s northern air command-control network at Nur Khan Base. By afternoon, both sides agree to a ceasefire. Pakistan appeals for international mediation after heavy losses. India maintains that any talks can occur only if Pakistan ends terrorism and vacates Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
This sequence of events shows India seizing the initiative at every step, with actions that were precise, calculated, and strategically superior.
BrahMos Missiles: The Game Changer
The BrahMos cruise missile was the defining element of the conflict. BrahMos is a joint India-Russia supersonic missile that travels at roughly Mach 3 (three times the speed of sound). It can strike targets 400–500 km away with exceptional accuracy. Military experts describe it as one of the fastest and most precise cruise missiles in the world, with a low radar signature that makes interception difficult.
During Operation Sindoor, BrahMos missiles launched from Indian aircraft struck deep inside Pakistan. One such strike significantly damaged the Nur Khan airbase’s command-control network in Rawalpindi, impairing Pakistan’s air defense capabilities. The missile’s speed and precision caught Pakistani forces off guard, as acknowledged by their own leadership.
BrahMos has become a symbol of India’s defense capabilities. Developed jointly with Russia but largely produced in India, it has drawn attention globally. Countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam are in talks to acquire it, making it a potential defense export success story. In Operation Sindoor, BrahMos proved its value — delivering devastating and timely results that altered the strategic landscape.
Strategic Superiority and Diplomacy
India’s battlefield success translated into a stronger diplomatic posture. By striking militant camps and military targets in Pakistan’s interior, India expanded its use of conventional force within a nuclear environment — resetting the strategic balance. Defense analysts observed this as a paradigm shift: for the first time, the escalation ladder tilted in India’s favor.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that Operation Sindoor allowed India to dictate the terms of engagement, showing escalation dominance while avoiding a wider war. India demonstrated that it could respond with speed and precision, not just deterrence.
On the diplomatic front, India held its ground. Pakistan offered to talk, but India reiterated that “terrorism and talks cannot go together.” Any discussions on Kashmir or related matters must begin only after Pakistan ends cross-border terrorism and vacates its illegal occupation of Indian territory.
With a ceasefire now in place, India continues to insist on its terms — highlighting both its military capability and strategic resolve to protect its citizens and borders.