India’s Operation Sindoor: A New Era of Normalized Warfare in Kashmir?

Introduction: A Strike That Echoes Beyond Borders

On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precision missile and airstrikes targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, a retaliation for a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, that killed 26 people, has sent shockwaves through South Asia and beyond. Described as India’s most aggressive military action against Pakistan since 2019, Operation Sindoor signals a shift in the region’s conflict dynamics. At a time when global warfare feels increasingly normalized—amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine—India’s strikes raise critical questions about escalation, deterrence, and the future of the Kashmir crisis.

The Context: A Fragile Status Quo Shattered

India and Pakistan, nuclear-armed neighbors with a history of animosity since their 1947 partition, have long clashed over Kashmir, a disputed region both claim in full. The April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Indian tourists, was the tipping point for India. New Delhi, citing “credible intelligence” linking Pakistan-based militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba to the attack, launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terrorist hideouts. Unlike previous strikes, such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike, which targeted a single remote site, Operation Sindoor hit multiple high-value targets, including sites in Pakistan’s heartland Punjab, without violating Pakistani airspace.

Pakistan condemned the strikes as an “act of war,” reporting at least 31 civilian deaths, including a 3-year-old girl, and damage to civilian infrastructure like the Bilal Mosque in Muzaffarabad. Islamabad vowed retaliation, claiming to have downed five Indian aircraft and launching drone and missile attacks on Indian military targets, which India says it thwarted. The cross-border shelling has killed at least 16 Indian civilians and 12 in Pakistan, displacing tens of thousands along the Line of Control.

Why Operation Sindoor Stands Out

Operation Sindoor marks a departure from India’s past restraint. Here’s why:

1. Scale and Scope: India struck nine sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, targeting major terrorist hubs like Jaish-e-Mohammed’s stronghold in Bahawalpur. The use of advanced weaponry, including Israel-made Harop drones and Rafale jets with SCALP cruise missiles, underscores India’s military precision.

2. Crossing Red Lines: Unlike previous operations confined to the Line of Control, India’s strikes reached Pakistan’s Punjab province, a politically sensitive region. This escalation has sparked concerns about Pakistan’s response, especially given its use of Chinese jets in retaliation.

3. Global Context: The strikes come amid a global environment where warfare feels less constrained. Conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have stretched international diplomatic mechanisms, potentially emboldening states to act decisively. India’s briefing of major powers like the US, Russia, and the UK before the strikes suggests a calculated move to manage global perceptions.

4. Domestic Messaging: Named after the vermilion powder symbolizing marriage in Hindu culture, Operation Sindoor carries symbolic weight in India, rallying public support. Indian leaders, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have framed the operation as a non-escalatory, proportionate response to terrorism, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefed President Droupadi Murmu to underscore national unity.

The Risks of Escalation

While all-out war between India and Pakistan remains unlikely—both nations are “rational actors” with much to lose—the risk of miscalculation is high. Pakistan’s military, embarrassed by India’s claims of thwarting its retaliatory strikes, faces domestic pressure to respond forcefully. The Pakistani public, less enthusiastic about war than in 2016 or 2019, could shift if anti-India sentiment grows in Punjab. Meanwhile, India’s assertive posture, as articulated by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, signals a doctrine shift: any major terror attack now triggers conventional retaliation, bypassing efforts to prove Pakistan’s complicity.

The human toll is already stark. Cross-border shelling has destroyed homes, disrupted flights (with 90 cancellations at Delhi airport), and forced evacuations. In Indian-administered Kashmir, sirens and blackouts in cities like Jammu and Kupwara have heightened fear. Pakistan’s claims of civilian casualties, including at mosques, have fueled a misinformation war, with India debunking false footage circulated on Pakistani social media.

A Global Flashpoint in a Normalized War Era

Operation Sindoor reflects a broader trend: warfare is becoming normalized again. The Gaza and Ukraine conflicts have weakened global norms against military aggression, creating space for decisive actions like India’s. Analysts warn that the Kashmir crisis, already one of the world’s most militarized disputes, could escalate if either side misjudges the other’s red lines. The involvement of external powers—China’s jets in Pakistan’s response, India’s use of Israeli drones—adds complexity. Yet, calls for de-escalation from the UN and figures like Donald Trump emphasize dialogue over conflict.

India’s strikes may deter future terror attacks, but as Al Jazeera notes, their “deterrent value” is questionable if Pakistan continues to deny involvement. The operation has redefined India’s deterrence doctrine, signaling that strategic restraint is no longer the default. This shift, while empowering India domestically, risks pushing the region toward a dangerous brink.

Conclusion: A Region on Edge

Operation Sindoor is more than a military operation; it’s a statement of India’s resolve and a reflection of a world where warfare feels less taboo. As India and Pakistan exchange accusations and gunfire, the Kashmir crisis teeters on the edge of escalation. The international community, stretched by other conflicts, must act to prevent a nuclear flashpoint. For now, the world watches as two rivals navigate a delicate dance of deterrence and retaliation.

Thought-Provoking Questions for Readers

1. Does Operation Sindoor signal a permanent shift in India’s approach to Pakistan, or is it a one-off response to a specific attack?

2. How can India and Pakistan de-escalate without losing face, given domestic pressures on both sides?

3. In a world where warfare feels normalized, what role should global powers play in preventing a Kashmir crisis from spiraling?

4. Are India’s strikes likely to deter future terror attacks, or will they provoke more violence in the region?

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