Operation Sindoor
In one line: Operation Sindoor was India's military response, from 7 to 10 May 2025, to the Pahalgam terrorist attack of 22 April 2025.
What happened
In the early hours of 7 May 2025, India struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir that it said were linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. Pakistan retaliated with drones and missiles and named its operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos; India says IACCS-directed air defences foiled many of these attacks. Hostilities ceased at 17:00 IST on 10 May 2025.
The trigger
The Pahalgam attack killed 26 people. The BRICS New Delhi Declaration of September 2026 condemned it 'in the strongest terms'.
Why it is in the news
The Defence Ministry's Annual Report 2025-26 records an S-400 kill at 314 km during the operation.
Where to go next
- S-400 Triumf
- Integrated Air Command and Control System
Operation Sindoor in the news
- Explained: First official Indian visit to Pakistan since Operation Sindoor 3 October 2026
The 2025 conflict that froze India-Pakistan ties
- Defence Ministry: S-400 downed a Pakistani aircraft 314 km away in Operation Sindoor 14 September 2026
The May 2025 conflict
Previous-year questions on this
- 2024 · GS3 · 15 marks India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development…
- 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks 'Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO' In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems.
- 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?
- 2020 · GS2 · 15 marks What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
- 2022 · Prelims Consider the following: 1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank 2. Missile Technology Control Regime 3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. India is a member of which of the above?