Operation Sindoor’s Name Strikes Emotional Chord With Pahalgam Attack Survivors And Victims’ Families

On 22 April, a terror attack in Pahalgam shattered the peace, killing 26 civilians and leaving many families devastated. Among those present was Vaishali Bhatt, a Singaporean citizen of Indian origin, who left Baisaran Valley just before the attack began. Haunted by her narrow escape, Bhatt later found deep meaning in India’s military response—Operation Sindoor.

“I was in Pahalgam on April 22 and cannot tell how lucky I was to narrowly escape the attack,” Bhatt told BJP MP Dr Hemang Joshi, part of an all-party delegation. She shared how learning about Operation Sindoor on 7 May moved her emotionally. “The name hit me deeply. I cried a lot reading it. It means a lot to us.”

Furthermore, she added, “The name Sindoor was perfectly apt for the operation carried out to avenge all the victims, their families and all of us. No one else could do what you did. This is my personal message to you. Thank you very much.”

The Significance Behind Operation Sindoor

India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes destroyed these camps and killed over 100 terrorists in retaliation for the April massacre.

Moreover, the codename ‘Sindoor’ holds special cultural significance. Sindoor is a sacred red vermillion applied by married Hindu women, symbolising marriage and love. This name resonated deeply with many, especially the widows of victims.

During the Pahalgam attack, terrorists brutally targeted men. One such victim was Shubham Dwivedi from Uttar Pradesh, who had recently married. His widow, Aishanya, said the operation’s name felt profoundly personal. “By naming the operation Sindoor, whoever decided it truly connected with us—the wives of those who were killed,” she told India Today. “It’s a very personal thing.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally chose the codename, highlighting the emotional and cultural importance behind the mission’s title. The name symbolises the pain, resilience, and strength of those left behind, turning a military mission into a personal message of justice and remembrance.

Also Read: Operation Sindoor Sets Pakistan Air Force Back By 5 Years With Precision Strikes