On Wednesday, the Indian military executed targeted missile strikes under the operation “Sindoor,” aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure associated with banned groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This military operation, launched as retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam attack, quickly garnered widespread international media attention, placing global focus on the situation.
The military response significantly escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors, with many international outlets emphasizing India’s claim that the strikes were a measured counter-terrorism move rather than an aggressive action. In the US, major media outlets such as The New York Times highlighted the escalation, underscoring that India had preemptively informed the United States, a move that sought to limit international tensions. CNN reported on the story, highlighting the sophisticated weaponry deployed in the strikes, such as Rafale fighter jets and SCALP missiles. The coverage emphasized that the targets were exclusively terrorist facilities, not military sites.
The Washington Post noted that the Indian strike was a “measured show of force,” highlighting India’s effort to avoid targeting military sites and to minimize civilian casualties. BBC focused on the key targets, including terror hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke, while reflecting the global concern about the potential for further escalation of the conflict.
Other media outlets worldwide also reported on Operation Sindoor. The Wall Street Journal described it as targeting “suspected militant sites in Pakistan amidst rising tensions,” while the Chicago Tribune noted that the strikes followed the deadly Kashmir attack. Le Monde and The Times of Israel emphasized India’s right to self-defense.
The Indian government defended the strikes, stating that they were focused, non-escalatory, and strategically planned to neutralize terror infrastructure linked to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. India reassured the international community that no Pakistani military facilities had been targeted, reinforcing its message of restraint and calculated response.
