Operation Sindoor: India’s Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack
For CLAT 2026 Aspirants | Current Affairs | International Relations | National Security
Introduction
On April 22, 2025, a brutal terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, orchestrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror outfit operating through a proxy group named The Resistance Front (TRF). The attack led to the deaths of 26 civilians, including a foreign national from Nepal, marking it the deadliest civilian-targeted terror incident in India since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, aimed at targeting terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC). The operation was justified as measured, proportionate, and preventive, aligning with international counter-terror norms.
This case holds crucial importance in legal reasoning, international law, and national security modules under General Knowledge and Current Affairs for CLAT 2026 aspirants.
Point-Wise Summary
- The Attack (April 22, 2025)
- Location: Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
- Perpetrators: Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF).
- Casualties: 26 civilians killed, including a Nepalese citizen.
- Nature of attack: Victims executed at close range, many in front of family members to incite trauma.
- Strategic Motive Behind the Attack
- Destabilize the return of normalcy in J&K.
- Harm the booming tourism economy (23 million tourists in 2024).
- Incite communal discord in India.
- Create ground for further cross-border terrorism.
- Terrorist Group Involved: The Resistance Front (TRF)
- TRF is a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terror outfit.
- India had previously alerted the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee in 2023 and 2024 about TRF.
- Pakistan tried to suppress references to TRF in UN Security Council statements.
- India’s Investigation
- Found direct communication links between attackers and handlers in Pakistan.
- Attackers identified via eyewitnesses and forensic intelligence.
- Social media handles affiliated with LeT reposted TRF’s claims, confirming connection.
- Pakistan’s Role
- Continues to be a safe haven for terrorists.
- Known for misleading international bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
- Case of Sajid Mir, a 26/11 accused who was falsely declared dead by Pakistan, cited as proof.
- India’s Diplomatic & Military Response
- On April 23, 2025, initial diplomatic measures were taken.
- After two weeks with no Pakistani action, India launched a military strike — Operation Sindoor.
- Aim: Deter future attacks, pre-empt active terror modules, and destroy infrastructure.
- Operation Sindoor (May 7, 2025)
- Described as measured, proportionate, and non-escalatory.
- Targets were terrorist launchpads and infrastructure across LoC.
- Operation was consistent with international law and the UN Security Council’s April 25 Statement, calling for accountability.
- UN Response
- UNSC Press Statement condemned the attack and emphasized punishing perpetrators.
- India’s operation aligned with the UN call to action.
- Indian Leadership & Briefing
- Statement delivered by Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri.
- Military briefings followed by Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
- Public and National Sentiment
- Widespread outrage and grief across India.
- Strong support for the armed response.
Why in News?
- The Pahalgam terror attack is the biggest strike on Indian civilians in over a decade.
- India’s military response (Operation Sindoor) reflects a calibrated counter-terrorism doctrine.
- Highlights India’s diplomatic engagement with UN mechanisms and exposes Pakistan’s duplicity.
- Significant development in India-Pakistan relations, border security policies, and counter-terror jurisprudence.
Key Notes & Explanations of Terms
Term | Explanation |
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) | Pakistan-based terrorist group proscribed by the UN. Responsible for 26/11 Mumbai attacks. |
The Resistance Front (TRF) | Proxy group for LeT, used to mask direct Pakistani involvement. |
1267 Sanctions Committee | UN Security Council committee that oversees sanctions against terror groups and individuals. |
FATF (Financial Action Task Force) | Global watchdog against money laundering and terror financing. |
Sajid Mir Case | 26/11 plotter falsely declared dead by Pakistan, later found alive and arrested under pressure. |
Measured Response | A term in international law and military strategy meaning proportionate and controlled retaliation. |
Operation Sindoor | Codename for India’s precision military strikes post Pahalgam attack, targeting terror camps. |
LoC (Line of Control) | The de facto border between India and Pakistan in the J&K region. |
Pre-emptive Strike | A military attack initiated to prevent an imminent attack by the adversary. |
UNSC Press Statement (April 25) | A Security Council statement that condemned the Pahalgam attack and urged action. |
Relevance for CLAT 2026 Aspirants
This issue can be used for:
- Reading Comprehension Passages on terrorism, national security, or diplomacy.
- Legal Reasoning Questions on proportionality in self-defense and international law.
- General Knowledge Questions on counter-terror strategies, India-Pakistan relations, or international forums.
- Essay Topics such as “India’s Counter-Terrorism Policy”, “The Role of UN in South Asian Conflicts”, or “Is Pre-emptive Strike a Violation of Sovereignty?”
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Conclusion
The Pahalgam attack and India’s response via Operation Sindoor exemplify India’s evolving strategic doctrine—combining diplomatic engagement, intelligence-based targeting, and global legal norms. For a CLAT aspirant, understanding this development is crucial in connecting law with global politics, and it reinforces the importance of being aware of real-world applications of international law, national security policy, and institutional responses.
This event is a stark reminder of the challenges India faces on its borders and the resolve with which it must act—legally, responsibly, and decisively.
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