Indian Armed Forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' in the wee hours of Wednesday as their strikes targeted nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base Muridke which they said is a measured, non-escalatory retaliatory action after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians on April 22.
The naming of 'Operation Sindoor' strikes a chord for the Indian citizens after several women were widowed in the Pahalgam terror attack.
Reportedly named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the operation has been hailed by citizens, politicians across the country.
Who Named Operation Sindoor?
It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who picked the evocative term "Operation Sindoor" to name the Indian armed forces' strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, PTI reported.
Significance Of 'Operation Sindoor' Naming
Sindoor or vermilion is a traditional red powder worn by married Hindu women in India as a symbol of marital status and prosperity. It is applied to the parting of the hair and is an important cultural and religious symbol.
The red pigment is made from mercury sulphide .
In the context of "Operation Sindoor," the name symbolises the revenge for women who lost their husbands .
The bright Red colour also carries symbolic meaning, possibly representing strength, courage, or a mark of honour.
When the terrorists attacked the tourists at Baisaran valley in Anantnag district on April 22, as per reports, they targeted the Hindu men and other non-Muslim men present at the spot before killing them.
In the Pahalgam terror attack, the husbands of several women were killed in front of them including an Indian Navy officer.
Government, Indian Army On Operation Sindoor
The government confirmed at the presser on Wednesday morning that more than 80 terrorists linked to banned outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in the precision strikes in Pakistan and PoK.
They added that military action was measured and the targets were selected based on credible intel.
The government on Wednesday said Indian military carried out a "measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible" strike to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan to "deter and to pre-empt" any further terrorist strikes to retaliate the Pahalgam attack.
The Defence Ministry's first statement since the attack confirmed the launch of the operation, it said, "A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed."
It said the actions by the Indian armed forces have been "focused, measured and non-escalatory" in nature and that no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted.
"India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution," it said.
Following Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army said on 'X': "Justice is Served."
The operation came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the armed forces full freedom to respond to the Pahalgam terror attack.
In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on April 29, PM Modi gave the armed forces "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of the response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
