Full breakdown of Operation Sindoor: Locations, weapons, and key Indian Commanders

May 7, 2025 National

New Delhi: In a decisive and carefully calibrated move, the Indian Armed Forces have launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation was launched in response to the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen were brutally murdered. India has vowed accountability—and this is its firm step toward it.

What is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor is the most extensive single-day precision strike ever conducted by India. The operation was a multi-branch effort involving the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, demonstrating both coordination and advanced military capability. Importantly, this was not a strike on Pakistan’s military installations, but a focused campaign targeting terrorist launchpads, camps, and command infrastructure responsible for cross-border terrorism against India.

The Targets and Locations

Nine locations were hit across Pakistan and PoJK:

Muzaffarabad
Kotli
Bahawalpur
Rawalakot
Chakswari
Bhimber
Neelum Valley
Jhelum
Chakwal

A total of 24 precision missile strikes were carried out in a single day, making this India’s largest single-day operation of this nature to date.

Weapons and Platforms Used

India showcased its modern and lethal military capabilities with the deployment of high-precision, long-range weaponry:

SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missiles: Known for their deep-strike capabilities (range over 250 km), these were used to destroy reinforced terrorist bunkers and command centers.
HAMMER bombs: Precision-guided bombs targeted multi-storey buildings reportedly used for training and strategic planning by terrorist groups.
Loitering munitions (aka kamikaze drones): These not only provided real-time intelligence but also struck mobile, high-value targets as they appeared on the battlefield.

The Indian Air Force played a pivotal role in launching airstrikes from within Indian airspace, supported by mid-air refueling systems and airborne early-warning and control aircraft.

Col. Sophia Qureshi & Wing Commander Vyomika Singh

The operation was executed under the strategic command of top Indian military officers. Two senior woman officers Colonel Sophia Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, were at the helm of ‘Operation Sindoor’ media briefing along side Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

A Message of Restraint and Resolve

While Operation Sindoor represents a bold military move, India has emphasized that the operation was “measured, focused, and non-escalatory.” No Pakistani military installations were targeted. By carefully selecting targets and using surgical precision, India signaled both restraint and strategic clarity—making it clear that the objective was counterterrorism, not escalation.