In response to the Pahalgam attack of April 22nd which killed 26 innocent civilians, Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor- a retaliatory attack, in the early hours of May 7th. The operation targeted nine locations which had terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Indian Armed Forces opted for precision air strikes using long-range standoff weapons including air-launched missiles and loitering munitions.
PoJK had a strategic value during this operation because the terrorist facilities located in the region were directly involved in recent attacks of Jammu and Kashmir. The Sawai Nala camp in Muzaffarabad was a key Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training centre which was instrumental in preparing militants involved in various attacks. Similarly, the Syedna Bilal camp, also in Muzaffarabad, served as a staging ground for Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), acting as a hub for weapons, explosives, and jungle warfare training. The Gulpur camp in Kotli, another major LeT base, was closely linked with insurgent activity in Rajouri and Poonch by providing training to militants for carrying out deadly strikes. The Barnala camp in Bhimber also specialized in weapons handling and jungle survival training, while the Abbas camp in Kotli, with a capacity to train up to 15 terrorists at a time,focused on preparing Fidayeen (suicide attackers) for LeT. Destroying these facilities has sent a message of reprisal for such activities, possibly leading to their being relocated to more secure areas.
Immediate Reactions
The Indian airstrikes under Operation Sindoor triggered a wave of fear, mistrust, and uncertainty across PoJK. A fragile peace has emerged with limited confidence in long-term stability. Terrified by the explosions, locals rushed from their homes and ran into nearby hills for safety. Power outages followed the initial explosions in the capital city, adding to the chaos. In many towns and villages, the day-to-day life was disrupted with schools shut, examinations cancelled, and public spaces emptied. Locals took shelter in bunkers which were stocked with food, bedding, and essentials in anticipation of further hostilities. This behaviour illustrates how the communities are living under constant pressure and threat that has internalized fear as a way of life. Though a ceasefire was declared later, many residents remained cautious while acknowledging the fact that the core dispute over Kashmir’s status remains untouched. The hospitals remained functional and some small businesses reopened but these were seen more as efforts for survival than signs of true normalcy. The presence of terrorist infrastructure alongside civilian population continues to leave non-combatants dangerously exposed, with reports of injuries and structural damage in civilian zones. UN military observers later visited the city to inspect the damaged Mosque Bilal, highlighting international concern over civilian harm in the region.
Protests and Political Mobilization post Op Sindoor
As a consequence of Operation Sindoor, PoJK witnessed a number of protests and political mobilization. A mass rally was held in support of the Pakistani Army on May 10th in Muzaffarabad. A large crowd chanted slogans in support of the military and distributed sweets for the retaliatory strikes against India. They celebrated the retaliation as a “strong and effective” answer to Indian air strikes where Pakistani military sources claimed to have shot down five Indian Air Force jets. However, Pakistan’s mainstream media distorted the narrative by circulating exaggerated and unverified claims, misleading the public and shaping false sense of morale and victory. The gathering was supported by political elites who share close connections with military.
Along with the public unrest, PoJK’s political leaders called out for the intervention of the international community. PoJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood said that the strikes were an attempt by the Indian government to divert attention from the unresolved Kashmir issue. He added that rising tensions between two countries is a threat to peace and security across the globe.
Sardar Masood Khan, the former president of PoJK, went even further. He called the strikes a “criminal and unprovoked act of war” and called for a strong reaction from the rest of the countries. Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Gulbar Khan agreed with this stance and praised the reaction of the Pakistani military and condemned what he called India’s cowardly attack on civilians.
The Gilgit-Baltistan assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Indian air raids and accused that the strikes killed innocent civilians. There was unanimous agreement in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly that Indian aggression and the killing of citizens were wrong. The resolution demonstrated backing for Pakistan’s military and praised Operation Bunyanum Marsoos-Pakistan’s military retaliation to India airstrikes, as a strong military reaction.
The reactions in PoJK after Operation Sindoor reflect a region with intensifying nationalism, political mobilization and growing instability. The rally in the capital city was not just a show of support, it was a strategic effort to turn the local sentiments against India, backed by political elites who are close with the military.
The resolution passed unanimously by the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly and statements made by leaders like the former president of PoJK show that India is being portrayed as the aggressor.
This is ironical, since persistent unrest among PoJK residents has highlighted growing dissatisfaction with authorities. Power price hikes and related issues sparked major protests in Mirpur and Poonch since at least 2023. Traders, lawyers, and transporters supported public action groups’ shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes. In Rawalakot and Mirpur, protesters demanded relief from excessive taxes, power disruptions, and unresolved Mangla dam issues. Protests continued despite government commitments. After police detained activists and clashed with demonstrators in Mirpur’s Dadyal tehsil, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee declared another strike in the month of May 2024. These repeated protests reflect PoJK’s frustration with the region’s power crisis, unmet promises of fair electricity rates based on hydel power costs, and economic neglect.
PoJK produces approximately 3,500 megawatts of electricity for Pakistan, that is almost 10% of the country’s total power capacity. PoJK residents instead of getting concessions, pay additional tariffs for electricity. The growing resentment among the locals will only exacerbate the ongoing unrest and challenges in the region.
