SCALP long-range missile. Photo: MBDA
On Wednesday night, India carried out one of the largest targeted strikes against Pakistan since 2019, Reuters reports. The special operation, called Sindhur, was a response to the bloody terrorist attack on 22 April in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.
The Indian Armed Forces announced the destruction of nine Pakistani targets associated with the terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which, according to India, operate with the support of the Pakistani government.
Weapons used by India:
▪ SCALP (Storm Shadow) – air-launched missiles with a range of over 250 km;
▪ HAMMER – high-precision aerial bombs for striking fortified targets;
▪ Kamikaze drones – for reconnaissance and targeted strikes on targets in real time.
The operation involved the forces of three branches of the armed forces – air force, navy and army. NDTV notes that this is India’s most powerful cross-border attack since Balakot.
Pakistan’s response:
Islamabad said six targets were hit and 24 strikes were recorded. Eight people were reported dead, 35 wounded and two missing.
Pakistan also reported the downing of five Indian aircraft. India has not confirmed this, but Reuters sources point to three aircraft crashes in the mountainous regions of Kashmir – all pilots survived.
Intense artillery shelling was observed on the contact line between the two countries.
Consequences for civilians:
▪ Schools are being closed in India and Pakistan,
▪ Airlines are cancelling flights, including Qatar Airways, Indigo and Air India.
In Pakistan, a state of emergency was declared in Punjab, and Muzaffarabad was left without electricity.
The situation is rapidly escalating, and the international community is calling for restraint.
