India struck terror camps in Pakistan: What's next?

Operation Sindoor should but may not be the end of hostilities. India has other levers to use as well

- AJAI SHUKLA

On Tuesday night, the Indian Air Force (IAF) retaliated for the murder of 26 innocent tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, by launching missile strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). A few hours later, New Delhi stated on the morning of Wednesday, 7 April, that "nine sites have been targeted."

"A little while ago, Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor,' hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed," said India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri, while briefing a media gathering in New Delhi.

"Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution," said the Indian statement.

The Indian government's spokesperson declined to take any questions.

The Pakistan government acknowledged India's air strikes against terrorist targets in Punjab and PoJK, but made some claims that India has not confirmed.

The Indian statement said that the attack was ordered after last month's deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir. "We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable," it said.

Pakistan's military spokesperson said that residents in Muzaffarabad, the biggest city in PoJK, were jolted awake by huge explosions.