“Just Took 88 Hours”: Army’s Video Brings Back Operation Sindoor Moments

Marking one year since Operation Sindoor, senior political leaders and the armed forces recalled the cross-border strikes and their fallout for India-Pakistan ties. A short montage released at 1:05 am on 7 May captured key moments from the mission, underlining speed, coordination and resolve against groups blamed for the Pahalgam killings.

The Indian Air Force posted the video on X at the exact launch time of the operation. The montage mixed combat visuals and graphics, and ended with a pointed line stressing it "just took 88 hours". The Indian Air Force caption read, "Justice served. Precise in action, eternal in memory—Operation Sindoor continues. India forgets nothing-India forgives nothing."

Operation Sindoor anniversary video and political messaging

Government leaders also used the Operation Sindoor anniversary to underline policy on Pakistan and terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar changed their official X profile images, adding artwork linked to the operation. The new pictures drew attention to the mission’s objectives and highlighted how the strikes were framed as a national security response.

Modi issued a detailed statement recalling the action against targets in Pakistan. Sharing his message on X, Modi wrote, "A year ago, our armed forces displayed unparalleled courage, precision and resolve during OperationSindoor. They gave a fitting response to those who dared to attack innocent Indians at Pahalgam. The entire nation salutes our forces for their valour," Modi said in a statement.

Operation Sindoor context and military details

Operation Sindoor followed a deadly terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 civilians died. Shortly after midnight on 7 May 2025, the Army formally announced the mission’s start. Security officials later stated that more than 100 terrorists were killed during the multi-day operation, which focused on nine specific locations across the border.

According to officials, Indian forces struck Muzaffarabad’s Sawai Nala Camp and Syedna Belal Camp, alongside Gulpur Camp, Abbas Camp and Barnala Camp. The list also included Sarjal Camp, Mehmoona Joya Camp, Markaz Taiba and Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur. These facilities were described as key hubs used by groups blamed for the Pahalgam attack.

Operation Sindoor and India’s stance on Pakistan

The first anniversary of Operation Sindoor revived debate on India’s harder line towards Pakistan after the Pahalgam killings. Following that attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, which had governed water sharing between the two countries for decades. The agreement remains on hold a year later, reflecting the unchanged diplomatic chill.

At the time of the Pahalgam incident, Modi had addressed the country and linked security and engagement. Modi declared, "terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together and blood and water cannot flow together." That message shaped the backdrop against which Operation Sindoor was planned and then publicly acknowledged.

Modi said the operation showed India’s "firm response against terrorism" and highlighted the "professionalism, preparedness and coordinated strength" of the armed forces. Modi added that the mission displayed growing jointness among the services and connected it to domestic defence manufacturing. According to Modi, self-reliance in equipment had already strengthened India’s ability to carry out such operations.

Modi noted that the security environment remained tense even a year later. Modi said, "Today, a year later, we remain as steadfast as ever in our resolve to defeat terrorism and destroy its enabling ecosystem." The statement suggested that the government continued to treat Operation Sindoor as part of a broader counter-terrorism approach.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh released a separate message on X praising personnel involved in Operation Sindoor. Singh wrote, "On the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, we salute the valour and sacrifices of our armed forces, whose courage and dedication continue to safeguard the nation." Singh described the mission as a "powerful symbol of national resolve and preparedness".

Singh further said that the strikes demonstrated "unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services", and argued that this performance set "a benchmark for modern military operations". Together with Modi’s remarks and the anniversary video, Singh’s comments reinforced how Operation Sindoor remains central to India’s narrative on deterrence and cross-border terrorism one year after the Pahalgam attack.