Operation Sindoor 2025: Step-by-Step Actions of the Indian Armed Forces on May 7
On May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, a 25-minute precision strike targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 Hindu tourists. Named “Sindoor” to honor the vermilion mark of widowed victims, the operation showcased India’s military prowess, leveraging Make in India technologies like SkyStriker kamikaze drones, BrahMos missiles, and INS Vikrant. This article details the step-by-step actions taken by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy on May 7, 2025, including Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi’s clarifications on false claims of strikes on Karachi Port, offering a comprehensive view of India’s counterterrorism resolve.
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| Operation Sindoor – Justice Served |
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Operation Sindoor Context: The Pahalgam Terror Attack 2025
The Pahalgam attack, executed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) offshoot, targeted Hindu male tourists, leaving 26 dead and many widowed. India accused Pakistan of supporting TRF, prompting diplomatic measures like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and planning Operation Sindoor. Over 12 days, RAW and ISRO’s satellite imagery identified nine LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli for surgical strikes.
Step-by-Step Actions on May 7, 2025
The table below outlines the Indian Armed Forces’ actions during the 25-minute operation, coordinated across air, land, and sea, based on military briefings.
| Time (IST) | Action |
|---|---|
| 00:00–00:45 | Pre-Operation Mobilization: IAF activates Rafale and Sukhoi-30 MKI squadrons at Jammu, Pathankot, and Adampur, arming them with SCALP missiles and BrahMos. Army readies SkyStriker drones in Bengaluru. The Indian Navy promptly mobilized its Carrier Battle Group, surface vessels, submarines, and aviation units in full combat readiness, synchronized with the Indian Armed Forces’ joint operational plan. The Navy sustains a formidable presence at sea, ready to respond decisively to any hostile actions by Pakistan or Pakistan-based terrorist groups.
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| 00:45–01:04 | Initial Strikes in PoK: Rafale jets fire SCALP missiles from Indian airspace, destroying LeT’s Abbas Terrorist Camp in Kotli, 13 km from the LoC, by 01:04. SkyStriker drones strike Gulpur Terrorist Camp, 30 km from the LoC, obliterating LeT’s J&K control center, guided by ISRO satellite imagery.
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| 01:05–01:11 | Deep Strikes in Pakistan: Rafale jets target Hizbul Mujahideen’s Mehmoona Joya Camp in Sialkot, 12 km from the border. Sukhoi-30 MKIs launch BrahMos missiles, demolishing JeM’s headquarters in Bahawalpur, killing IC-814 hijacker Yusuf Azhar and Abdul Malik Rauf.
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| 01:11–01:30 | Coordinated Strikes: SCALP missiles and SkyStriker drones hit LeT’s Markaz Taiba in Muridke and terror facilities in Muzaffarabad, linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Operation concludes at 01:30, with 14 strikes across nine sites, killing over 100 terrorists. |
| 01:00–06:00 | Navy’s Deterrence: INS Vikrant, with 40 aircraft, and INS Vikramaditya lead destroyers, frigates, and submarines in the Arabian Sea, confining Pakistan’s Navy to Karachi Port. Admiral Tripathi later clarifies no strikes targeted the port, countering false media claims. |
| 01:30–09:00 | Assessment and Briefings: Army’s X post (@adgpi) declares “Justice is Served” by 01:51. PM Modi monitors from South Block. At 09:00, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Vikram Misri brief media, confirming precision, no IAF losses, and Pakistan’s TRF links. |
| 02:00–06:00 | Pakistan’s Response: Pakistan claims to down five Indian jets; Air Marshal A.K. Bharti refutes, confirming all pilots safe. Shelling in Kupwara begins. Pakistan alleges 31 civilian deaths, denied by India with drone imagery. |
Operation Sindoor: Detailed Breakdown of Military Actions
Pre-Operation (00:00–00:45): The operation began with synchronized mobilization. The IAF’s Western Air Command, under Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha, prepped 12 Rafale jets and eight Sukhoi-30 MKIs, equipped with 250 km-range SCALP missiles and 300 km-range BrahMos.
The Army’s Northern Command, led by Lt Gen M.V. Suchindra Kumar, deployed SkyStriker drones, each carrying 5–10 kg warheads, from mobile launchers. The Navy’s 36-ship fleet, including seven Kolkata-class destroyers and six submarines, positioned itself 200 nautical miles from Karachi, ensuring maritime dominance.
PoK Strikes (00:45–01:04): The IAF’s Rafale jets, flying at 10,000 feet, launched SCALP missiles from 100 km inside Indian airspace, targeting Kotli’s Abbas Camp, a suicide bomber training hub. SkyStriker drones, with 100 km range, struck Gulpur, using AI-guided sensors to hit LeT’s command bunkers. ISRO’s RISAT-2B satellite provided real-time imagery, ensuring zero civilian casualties.
Pakistan Strikes (01:05–01:11): The deepest strikes targeted Sialkot and Bahawalpur. Rafale jets used AASM Hammer bombs to destroy Hizbul’s Sialkot camp, while BrahMos missiles, with 0.1-meter accuracy, leveled JeM’s Bahawalpur base. Colonel Qureshi’s briefing highlighted the elimination of high-value targets like Yusuf Azhar.
Final Strikes (01:11–01:30): Muridke’s Markaz Taiba, a 2008 Mumbai attack planner, and Muzaffarabad’s terror facilities were hit simultaneously. SkyStriker drones loitered for 20 minutes before diving, ensuring precision. The operation’s 14 strikes across nine sites marked India’s boldest cross-border action since 2019’s Balakot.
Navy’s Role (01:00–06:00): INS Vikrant, carrying MiG-29K jets, and INS Vikramaditya led a Carrier Battle Group with BrahMos-equipped warships. Admiral Tripathi, on May 9, debunked claims of Karachi Port strikes, stating, “Our fleet deterred Pakistan’s Navy, which stayed in harbor.” The Navy’s presence grounded Pakistan’s coastal jets, per analyst Shiv Aroor.
Post-Strike (01:30–09:00): The Army’s X post at 01:51 IST confirmed success. PM Modi monitored operations, receiving updates from Rajnath Singh. The 09:00 IST briefing by Qureshi, Singh, and Misri refuted Pakistan’s civilian casualty claims, showcasing drone imagery. Air Marshal Bharti denied jet losses, countering Pakistan’s misinformation.
#PahalgamTerrorAttack
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 6, 2025
Justice is Served.
Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/Aruatj6OfA
Special Media Briefing on Operation Sindoor by Colonel Sophia Qureshi on May 7
Operation Sindoor: Outcomes and Make in India Impact
Operation Sindoor neutralized over 100 terrorists, costing India five soldiers in later clashes, while Pakistan lost 35–40 personnel. The operation’s success, driven by SkyStriker drones, BrahMos missiles, and INS Vikrant, boosted Make in India’s global profile, with drone exports planned for ASEAN by 2027. Tiranga Yatras in Gujarat and Yogi Adityanath’s praise reflected national pride.
Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, was a testament to India’s military precision and Make in India innovation. The Indian Armed Forces, through coordinated air, land, and sea actions, delivered justice for Pahalgam’s victims. Admiral Tripathi’s clarifications ensured transparency, countering false Karachi Port claims. As India mourns its fallen, the operation sets a new benchmark for counterterrorism, reinforcing its regional dominance.
References:
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127370
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2128748
- https://www.youtube.com/live/-3zvp7oxIYk?si=NR9o-hyU-N_Xsse3
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Pahalgam_attack
