Why this matters now
Pulwama-Balakot-Sindoor is tested for: 14 Feb 2019 CRPF convoy bombed by JeM suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar (Pulwama); 26 Feb 2019 IAF Mirage 2000 strike on JeM Balakot camp (1st Indian air strike across LoC since 1971); 27 Feb 2019 Pak F-16 incursion shot Wing Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman MiG-21 Bison + downed Pak F-16; Abhinandan returned 1 March 2019; 22 April 2025 Pahalgam attack (26 tourists killed by The Resistance Front, LeT proxy); 7-10 May 2025 Operation Sindoor: India struck 9 sites Bahawalpur+Muridke+PoK; Pakistan retaliated with drone-missile barrage; India intercepted with S-400 + Akashteer; ceasefire 10 May.
Pulwama Attack 14 February 2019
At 15:15 IST on 14 February 2019, a Mahindra Scorpio SUV packed with 200-300 kg explosives rammed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy of 78 buses on National Highway 44 at Lethpora, Pulwama. Driver: Adil Ahmed Dar, 22, local Kashmiri JeM recruit. 40 CRPF jawans killed; 30+ wounded.
Jaish-e-Mohammed (Pakistan-based, founded 2000 by Masood Azhar) claimed responsibility. Worst attack on Indian forces in J&K since 2002 Kaluchak (28 killed). India downgraded Pakistan’s MFN status (granted 1996), increased customs duty to 200% on Pakistani imports.
Balakot Air Strike 26 February 2019
On the night of 25-26 February 2019, 12 Indian Air Force Mirage 2000s of 7 Squadron + 9 Squadron (Gwalior + Maharajpur) struck a JeM training camp at Jaba Top, Balakot (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan — 80+ km inside Pakistan, NOT PoK). Used SPICE 2000 precision bombs at 03:30 IST.
India claimed “non-military preemptive action” that destroyed JeM camps killing 300+ militants. Pakistan disputed casualty figures.
27 February 2019 morning: Pakistan Air Force responded with Operation Swift Retort — F-16s + JF-17s crossed into J&K. Indian Air Force scrambled. Aerial combat over Rajouri-Naushera.
- IAF MiG-21 Bison piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 (Pakistan denied F-16 loss).
- Abhinandan’s MiG-21 was hit; he ejected, captured by Pakistani Army across LoC at Horran, near Bhimber Gali.
- Abhinandan was returned via Wagah on 1 March 2019 21:18 IST after international pressure on Pakistan.
Abhinandan was awarded Vir Chakra in August 2019 + Yudh Seva Medal. He continues in IAF.
Pahalgam Massacre 22 April 2025
On 22 April 2025 at 14:45 IST, terrorists belonging to The Resistance Front (TRF) — a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy formed Oct 2019 — opened fire on tourists at Baisaran Valley meadow, Pahalgam (Anantnag district, J&K). 26 tourists killed (incl. Indian Navy Lt Vinay Narwal honeymooning); 17 wounded. Worst attack since Pulwama.
Eyewitnesses said attackers checked IDs / asked tourists their religion before shooting. National outrage; immediate diplomatic actions:
- India suspended Indus Waters Treaty 1960 — first time in 60 years.
- Closed Attari-Wagah border; cancelled all SAARC visas.
- Expelled Pakistan’s Defence + Naval + Air attachés.
- PM Modi promised “punishment beyond their imagination”.
Operation Sindoor 7-10 May 2025
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 7 May 2025 01:05 IST | OPERATION SINDOOR launched. Indian Army + Navy + Air Force tri-service strikes on 9 terrorist HQs: |
| Pakistan: Bahawalpur (JeM HQ “Markaz Subhan Allah”), Muridke (LeT HQ “Markaz Taiba”), Sialkot, Sarjal. PoK: Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh, Garhi Habibullah, Chakla Mehsoob. SCALP cruise + Hammer bombs from Rafales + BrahMos. | |
| 7-9 May | Pakistan retaliated with drone-missile barrage (300+ drones; Babur cruise + Fatah-II ballistic). India intercepted with S-400 Triumf + Akashteer C2 system + Akash + Barak-8 — reportedly shot down 50+ Pak drones + missiles. |
| 9 May | India struck additional 8 Pak air bases incl Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Skardu, Jacobabad, Bholari, Sukkur. |
| 10 May 2025 17:00 IST | CEASEFIRE announced by both DGMOs. Pakistan reportedly asked through Saudi Arabia channels. Trump took public credit; India said it was bilateral. |
Casualties (India): 1 Indian Air Force aircraft lost (Pakistan claimed Rafale; India did not confirm); ~7 civilians killed Punjab. Pakistan claimed massive destruction; satellite imagery confirmed strikes on Nur Khan + 5+ bases.
UPSC angle
Know PULWAMA-BALAKOT 2019 + PAHALGAM-OP SINDOOR 2025; PULWAMA 14 FEB 2019 15:15 Lethpora NH-44 ADIL AHMED DAR JeM suicide bomber (Mahindra Scorpio SUV 200-300 kg explosives) rammed CRPF 78-bus convoy 40 JAWANS KILLED + 30 wounded, JAISH-E-MOHAMMED (founded 2000 Masood Azhar) claimed; India downgraded Pak MFN 1996+200% customs; BALAKOT AIR STRIKE 25-26 FEB 2019 03:30 IST 12 IAF MIRAGE 2000 (7 Sqn+9 Sqn Gwalior+Maharajpur) struck JeM Jaba Top BALAKOT Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (80+ km inside Pakistan NOT PoK) SPICE 2000 PRECISION BOMBS, India non-military preemptive, claimed 300+ killed; PAF Operation Swift Retort 27 Feb F-16+JF-17 crossed J&K aerial combat Rajouri-Naushera; WING CDR ABHINANDAN VARTHAMAN MiG-21 BISON shot Pak F-16 (Pak denied), MiG-21 hit ejected captured Horran near Bhimber Gali, returned WAGAH 1 MARCH 2019 21:18 international pressure; Vir Chakra Aug 2019 + Yudh Seva Medal; PAHALGAM 22 APRIL 2025 14:45 THE RESISTANCE FRONT (TRF LeT proxy founded Oct 2019) attacked Baisaran Valley meadow Anantnag 26 TOURISTS KILLED (Indian Navy Lt Vinay Narwal honeymooning) 17 wounded checked IDs/religion; India suspended INDUS WATERS TREATY 1960 (first time 60 yrs) + closed Attari-Wagah + cancelled SAARC visas + expelled Pak Defence+Naval+Air attachés; PM Modi punishment promise; OPERATION SINDOOR LAUNCHED 7 MAY 2025 01:05 IST tri-service strikes 9 sites Pakistan: BAHAWALPUR JeM Markaz Subhan Allah + MURIDKE LeT Markaz Taiba + Sialkot + Sarjal; PoK: Muzaffarabad+Kotli+Bagh+Garhi Habibullah+Chakla Mehsoob (SCALP+Hammer from Rafales+BrahMos); Pak retaliated 300+ drones (Babur cruise + Fatah-II), India intercepted S-400+AKASHTEER+Akash+Barak-8 50+ shot down; 9 May India struck additional 8 Pak air bases NUR KHAN Rawalpindi+Skardu+Jacobabad+Bholari+Sukkur; CEASEFIRE 10 MAY 2025 17:00 IST DGMOs bilateral (Trump credit, India bilateral), Pak asked via Saudi channels; India 1 IAF aircraft lost (Pak claimed Rafale India did not confirm) + ~7 civilians Punjab.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Pulwama Attack?
On 14 February 2019, a JeM suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar rammed a Mahindra Scorpio packed with 200-300 kg of explosives into a CRPF convoy at Pulwama on NH-44. 40 jawans killed.
What was the Balakot Air Strike?
India’s 26 February 2019 retaliation — 12 IAF Mirage 2000s using SPICE 2000 precision bombs struck a JeM camp at Jaba Top, Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (80+ km inside Pakistan, NOT PoK). First Indian air strike across LoC since 1971.
Who is Wing Commander Abhinandan?
IAF pilot whose MiG-21 Bison was hit during the 27 Feb 2019 Pakistan Air Force incursion. He shot down a Pakistani F-16 (Pakistan denied). Captured + returned via Wagah on 1 March 2019. Awarded Vir Chakra Aug 2019.
What was Operation Sindoor?
India’s tri-service strikes 7-10 May 2025 on 9 terrorist HQs at Bahawalpur (JeM) + Muridke (LeT) + 7 PoK/Pakistan sites in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre. Pakistan retaliated; India intercepted with S-400. Ceasefire 10 May.