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Operation Sindoor: How the World’s Media Saw India’s Bold Strike on Pakistan
New Delhi, May 7, 2025 – Early this morning, India’s “Operation Sindoor” sent shockwaves across the globe, with Rafale jets hammering nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). As a writer who’s been churning out news pieces from my tiny Lucknow desk, I can tell you this one’s a beast—India’s boldest move since Balakot, sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 tourists dead. Named after the vermilion mark of Hindu widows, the operation’s a direct jab at the attackers who targeted Hindu men. World media’s buzzing, some cheering India’s precision, others crying foul over civilian deaths. Here’s how they’re spinning it, plus the fallout shaking markets and borders.
What Happened?
At 1:05 AM, the Indian Air Force, backed by Army and Navy, unleashed 24 missile strikes on nine sites linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The targets:
- Pakistan: Bahawalpur (JeM stronghold), Muridke (LeT’s HQ), Sialkot (Hizbul Mujahideen camp).
- PoK: Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Gulpur, Bhimber, Chak Amru.
- Tech: Rafales with SCALP missiles and Hammer bombs hit without crossing Pakistani airspace.
India says over 80 terrorists were killed, including 25–30 each in Bahawalpur and Muridke. Pakistan claims 26 civilians died, including kids, with a mosque in Muzaffarabad hit. The strikes avenged Pahalgam, where The Resistance Front, allegedly Pakistan-backed, gunned down tourists. Pakistan denies involvement, but India’s had enough, and the world’s taking sides.
Global Media Takes
The press went wild, each outlet picking a lens:
- BBC: “India’s Sindoor Strike: Bold or Reckless?” They detailed the Muzaffarabad mosque damage but gave India’s side, quoting Colonel Sophia Qureshi on “precision targeting.” They’re worried about Kashmiris caught in the middle.
- The New York Times: “India’s Risky Retaliation in Pakistan.” Called it Modi’s “calculated strike” after Pahalgam, but flagged nuclear risks, citing Pakistan’s “act of war” rhetoric.
- Al Jazeera: “India’s Aggression Kills Civilians.” Heavy on Pakistan’s claims—26 dead, including a three-year-old—showing mosque rubble photos. They quoted Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on “retaliation.”
- Global Times (China): “India’s Arrogant Strikes Destabilize Asia.” Blamed India and “Western hypocrisy,” downplaying terror camp claims. They’re backing Pakistan’s UNSC push.
- CNN: “India-Pakistan Tensions Flare After Sindoor.” Praised India’s tech (Rafales, SCALP missiles) but noted 12 Indian civilian deaths from Pakistan’s counter-shelling in Poonch.
X posts from Indian Army accounts showed strike footage, captioned “Justice Served,” while Pakistan’s media shared images of a damaged Muzaffarabad mosque. It’s a PR war as much as a military one.
World Leaders React
Governments chimed in, splitting along alliances:
- US: Trump said, “Hope it ends quickly,” while Secretary Marco Rubio backed India’s “self-defense” but urged calm.
- UK: PM Keir Starmer pushed for “dialogue,” but ex-PM Rishi Sunak tweeted support for India’s “anti-terror resolve.”
- France: Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot praised India’s “legitimate action” and Rafale jets, a French export.
- China: Called the strikes “regrettable,” siding with Pakistan and blocking JeM sanctions at the UNSC.
- Israel: Ambassador Reuven Azar posted, “Terrorists can’t hide,” cheering India’s moves.
Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif labeled it a “cowardly attack,” vowing a “befitting reply.” Their initial claim of downing five Indian jets and capturing soldiers was debunked—no IAF losses, per India. Still, Pakistan’s shelling killed three Indian civilians along the Line of Control.
Fallout: Markets, Travel, and Tensions
The strikes hit more than terror camps:
- Sensex: Tanked 1,200 points as investors fled. It’s shaky but recovering.
- Oil: Brent crude jumped 3% on supply fears, per NDTV.
- Flights: Air India, SpiceJet canceled Jammu, Srinagar, Leh routes; Korean Air dodged Pakistan airspace. Over 140 Delhi flights grounded.
I’ve covered market dips before, and this one’s got folks nervous—two nuclear powers duking it out isn’t great for business. My cousin’s flight to Dubai got rerouted, and he’s fuming.
What’s Coming?
The dust hasn’t settled:
- UNSC Briefing: India’s sharing evidence tying JeM and LeT to Pahalgam. Pakistan’s pushing civilian death claims, backed by China.
- Military Moves: India’s planning Rafale-Sukhoi drills along the border; Pakistan’s got curfews in Punjab. Mock drills are happening nationwide, with Delhi blacked out tonight.
- Diplomacy: India briefed US, UK, Russia; Pakistan recalled its Delhi envoy. The Kartarpur corridor’s shut.
The Pahalgam widows, like Ashanya Dwivedi, thanked Modi for “revenge,” but Pakistan’s mosque damage claims are gaining traction. With 12 Indian and up to 26 Pakistani civilian deaths, both sides are hurting.
Closing Thoughts
This story’s got me glued to my screen, refreshing X for updates. India’s “Operation Sindoor” is a tech marvel—25 minutes, 80 terrorists down—but the civilian toll, from Poonch to Muzaffarabad, stings. World media’s split, with Western outlets leaning toward India’s “terror hunt” and others amplifying Pakistan’s “civilian tragedy.” As a writer, I see both sides, but the nuclear shadow’s what keeps me up. India says it’s done, but Pakistan’s not backing down. Here’s hoping the UNSC talks cool things off before my next article’s due.
