In a strong and symbolic affirmation of India’s right of self-defence, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday hailed the Indian military for their targeted and measured attacks on terror infrastructure along Pakistan and PoK. Conducted under ‘Operation Sindoor’, these actions were in clear retaliation for the gruesome April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that had left 26 dead.
During a press conference, Rajnath Singh asserted that the strikes were aimed at only those who had carried out the fatal attack in Kashmir. “We killed only those who killed our innocents,” he stated. Referring to the principle adopted by Lord Hanuman while destroying Ashok Vatika, Singh further stated, “Jin mohi mara, tin mohi maare,” asserting that the strikes were morally and tactically correct.
भारतीय सेनाओं ने अपने अद्भुत शौर्य और पराक्रम का परिचय देते हुए एक नया इतिहास रच दिया है… pic.twitter.com/enHzYZg50f
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 7, 2025
Rajnath Singh: Precision, Restraint, and Responsibility
Operation Sindoor was a concerted attack against nine identified terror bases, such as the Markaz Taiba of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Muridke, Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, and Hizbul Mujahideen’s Mehmoona Joya Facility in Sialkot. Indian troops also targeted LeT’s base in Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala and its launch pad in Shawai Nalla, Muzaffarabad.
Speaking at the inauguration of 50 BRO infrastructure projects across 6 States and 2 UTs. https://t.co/Fs2gVkwr1P
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 7, 2025
India’s Defence Ministry announced that the entire operation was completed in just 25 minutes. Despite the rapid and ferocious conduct, the military planners took care to keep the attacks “measured” and “non-escalatory,” and there were no civilian deaths reported. This strategic restraint clearly showed India’s commitment to punishing just the perpetrators, without provoking an unnecessary escalation.
International Justification and Strategic Clarity
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed that the choice of conducting these proportionate strikes was made after Pakistan failed to take “no demonstrable step” in dismantling terror infrastructure on its territory. “Our actions are in sync with the United Nations Security Council’s message that all those responsible, organisers, financiers and sponsors of such acts need to be brought to justice,” Misri claimed.
India’s action is being read broadly as a calibrated reaction intended to communicate both deterrence and accountability. The signal is unmistakable: terrorism will be met with swift and targeted retribution.
While India continues to fortify its counter-terror architecture, Operation Sindoor is a forceful reminder that national security will never take a backseat, and justice for terror victims will not wait.
