The Indian government clarified that its recent operation, Operation Sindoor, was aimed at high-level terrorist leaders, not just foot soldiers. The operation, launched on May 7 in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, targeted nine terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The Indian Armed Forces executed coordinated precision missile strikes on key facilities in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli, among others. A source emphasized that the operation sent a clear message: "No matter where you are in Pakistan, we will hit you." The objective was to target the "head of the snake" — the masterminds behind the attacks, not just the foot soldiers.

The attack focused on command centers for terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), known for attacks such as the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack. Despite Pakistan’s provocation, India responded with precision, aiming to eliminate terrorist infrastructure without escalating the conflict further.

India’s response was a significant shift in doctrine, asserting that neither the Line of Control nor Pakistan’s internal geography would offer protection to terrorists. This marked a firm stance against terrorism, highlighting that India would act independently to protect its citizens.