Editing Operation Sindoor (section)

== Background ==

The roots of Operation Sindoor lie in the longstanding Kashmir conflict, which has fueled multiple wars and insurgencies since 1947. Tensions escalated following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which altered Jammu and Kashmir's status, prompting increased militant activities. Pakistan has consistently denied supporting terrorism, while India accuses it of harboring groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM). Prior incidents, such as the 2016 Uri attack and 2019 Pulwama bombing, led to limited Indian responses like surgical strikes and the Balakot airstrike. These set precedents for proactive retaliation but were confined to Kashmir or shallow penetrations.

In the lead-up to 2025, India enhanced its military posture, redeploying Rafale jets and S-400 systems. On 29 April, an aborted Indian mission highlighted Pakistani electronic warfare capabilities. By late April, both nations closed airspaces and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, exacerbating the crisis. Pakistan warned of imminent strikes, while India mobilized 400 aircraft and conducted over 500 transport sorties.