Justice Delayed is Justice Denied; Justice Hurried is Justice Buried - Operation Sindoor

 

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied; Justice Hurried is Justice Buried

Fifteen days after the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government responded with calculated precision through a military operation named Operation Sindoor. The name evokes powerful imagery—sindoor, the vermilion powder symbolizing the Hindu women, was depicted in a graphic as spilled and blood-like, symbolizing the grief of those widowed by terrorism. This symbolic choice underscores the nation's resolve to seek justice for the victims, especially the women who lost their husbands in the April 22 massacre.

The Pahalgam attack was not just an act of violence—it was an assault rooted in religious hatred. Innocent Hindu men were brutally targeted, made to prove their faith under duress, and then executed—26 in total. Women and children were intentionally spared, not out of compassion, but to act as living messengers of fear. These witnesses were meant to spread terror through their testimony, furthering the psychological impact of the atrocity.

In retaliation, Indian armed forces launched precise strikes on designated terror launchpads located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Operation Sindoor targeted nine sites across at least six Pakistani and PoK cities, including significant locations like Muridke—the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba—and Bahawalpur, home to Jaish-e-Mohammed. These locations lie deep in Pakistan’s Punjab province, which had not been targeted since the 1971 war. India also hit terror bases in Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoK.

The operation was notable not only for its scale but also for its method. All strikes were executed from Indian airspace—a fact acknowledged by Pakistan. This approach minimized risks and avoided breaching international boundaries or provoking direct military escalation. No Pakistani military bases were targeted, thus denying Islamabad any justification for war, and allowing India to maintain the moral and diplomatic high ground.

Importantly, these strikes were backed by rare political consensus within India. Across party lines, there was unified support for action, which reinforced the resolve of the Narendra Modi government. As Pakistan threatens retaliation, unity—both political and societal—remains essential. The military's precision, combined with careful diplomatic calibration, should reassure the nation of its preparedness.

The fallout was immediate: Pakistan’s stock market plummeted, while India’s remained stable, reflecting public confidence in its leadership and military. Yet, as history warns, Pakistan is unlikely to escalate through conventional warfare. Instead, it may turn to asymmetric tactics—proxy terrorism, economic destabilization, and fear-mongering.

In response, India must remain vigilant. Airports across northern India were temporarily closed, and over two dozen international flight routes were suspended. Civil defense mock drills and blackout exercises were conducted across multiple states to ensure preparedness.

This is not the time for chest-thumping or social media frenzy. It is a time for national solidarity and strategic calm. Let us support our armed forces and government with resolve and restraint. With unity and wisdom, India will prevail—this time, with fewer wounds.

Jai Hind.