Over 100 terrorists killed in Op Sindoor, says Indian govt as it warns of retaliation if provoked

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 8 briefed opposition leaders about Operation Sindoor, the country’s ongoing military response to the Pahalgam terror attack and continued cross-border aggression from Pakistan.

Singh said over 100 terrorists have been killed so far in what he described as a coordinated and continuing operation.

He emphasized that India does not seek further escalation but will retaliate forcefully if provoked.

"The Indian military stands ready to respond to any escalation by Pakistan," Singh said, noting that further strikes would only occur if enemy forces attacked.

At an all-party meeting, opposition leaders expressed full support for the government’s counterterrorism measures.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "We heard what they said... They also said some information had to remain confidential. We said, 'We are all with the governmen't."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju described the discussion as constructive. "Everyone showed maturity and did not indulge in bickering," he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who also attended the meeting, reaffirmed his party’s support but voiced disappointment that the government did not agree to their request for a special session of Parliament.

"... but said it would be nice if the government had agreed to their demand to have a special session of Parliament," Gandhi noted.

Rijiju also warned against the spread of misinformation. “Much fake news is being propagated... I appeal to all in this time not to trust any fake news... and to trust only authentic information,” he said.

Government sources initially reported 70 terrorists killed, but the updated number suggests the strikes have continued with greater intensity.

In a formal statement issued on May 8, the Ministry of Defence outlined the sequence of events following Operation SINDOOR, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

The ministry emphasized that India's actions remain focused, restrained, and defensive in nature but warned of firm retaliation if provoked further.

"During the press briefing on Operation SINDOOR on 07 May 2025, we had clearly stated that India’s response was focused, measured, and non-escalatory," the ministry said.

"It was specifically mentioned that Pakistani military establishments had not been targeted. However, we also reiterated that any attack on military targets in India will invite a suitable response,” it added.

The ministry confirmed that on the night of 07–08 May, Pakistan launched coordinated drone and missile attacks aimed at multiple military targets in Northern and Western India.

"Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. These were successfully neutralized by the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems," it said.

"The debris from these attacks is now being recovered across multiple locations, confirming Pakistan’s offensive actions,” it added.

In response to the attempted strikes, the Indian Armed Forces conducted retaliatory strikes this morning.

"This morning, Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations inside Pakistan. Our response was in the same domain and with the same intensity as Pakistan’s attack. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised," the ministry added.

The statement also detailed Pakistan’s continued escalation along the Line of Control.

"Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using mortars and heavy calibre artillery in the Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors."

"Sixteen innocent lives have been lost in this barrage, including three women and five children. India was compelled to respond in order to silence Pakistan’s mortar and artillery fire. The Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military,” the statement added.

Operation Sindoor involved a 25-minute precision strike targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The Indian military used advanced weapons systems such as SCALP missiles and HAMMER bombs to hit locations tied to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

“These targets were chosen based on credible intelligence and their involvement in cross-border terrorism,” said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during a press briefing.

She stressed that no Pakistani military sites were hit and the operation was timed to minimize civilian casualties.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added that the Indian armed forces remain fully prepared to respond if Pakistan retaliates.

The strikes came nearly two weeks after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed, including a 70-year-old retiree.

Victims were reportedly shot at close range, some in front of their families. India has accused the Pakistani state of being involved, a claim Islamabad denies.

Pakistan was recently questioned at the United Nations Security Council about the continued operations of terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba on its soil.

In response to the Pahalgam attack, India also suspended certain visa categories and placed the Indus Waters Treaty on hold.

Pakistan called the move an act of war and retaliated by suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement.

Cross-border shelling has since intensified. Pakistan has targeted areas along the Line of Control, including Uri, Kupwara, Baramulla, and Akhnoor.

Thirteen people, including one Indian soldier, have been killed. The Indian government says it is responding proportionately to each attack.