Jammu | 7 May 2026
One year after India launched “Operation Sindoor,” the military operation continues to shape the security landscape of Jammu & Kashmir and India’s counter-terrorism strategy.
The operation was launched on 7 May 2025 following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025, where 26 civilians lost their lives in one of the most shocking attacks on tourists in recent years. In response, India carried out precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to defence reports, Indian forces targeted multiple terror hubs linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. The operation involved coordinated action by the Army, Air Force, and Navy, showcasing a new level of tri-service integration and technological warfare capability.
Military experts describe Operation Sindoor as one of India’s most significant post-Balakot responses, highlighting the use of Rafale fighter jets, SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, drone warfare systems, and advanced surveillance networks.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi recently stated that the operation is still ongoing in strategic terms, with security agencies maintaining heightened vigilance across Jammu & Kashmir. He noted that terror recruitment has sharply declined and terror incidents have reduced significantly since the operation began.
Security has also been intensified across Jammu division ahead of the first anniversary of the operation. Search operations, vehicle checks, and border surveillance have been increased in sensitive districts and along the International Border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Operation Sindoor as a “fitting response against terrorism” and praised the “courage, precision and resolve” of India’s armed forces on the anniversary of the mission.
Beyond the military impact, Operation Sindoor also influenced the social and economic environment in Kashmir. Tourism, which had been witnessing record growth before the Pahalgam attack, suffered an immediate setback after the incident. However, officials say tourism and public confidence have gradually recovered over the past year.
Political observers believe the operation marked a decisive shift in India’s national security doctrine, signaling that terror attacks targeting civilians would receive a direct and strategic response.
As Jammu & Kashmir observes the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the operation remains both a symbol of military resolve and a reminder of the region’s continuing security challenges.