GK News Service

New Delhi, May 7 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior cabinet ministers and leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday changed their social media display pictures to mark one year of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military operation launched after the 2025 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir.

News wire, Press Trust of India, quoted PM Modi as urging citizens to follow suit as a tribute to India’s armed forces and their role in the operation.

The prime minister updated his profile pictures across X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp with an image bearing the words “Operation Sindoor” against a black background alongside the Indian tricolour. One of the letters in “Sindoor” was stylised with vermilion, traditionally worn by married Hindu women.

“A year ago, during Operation Sindoor, our armed forces showcased their valour and gave a firm response to those who attacked our people,” Modi said in a post on X. “Every Indian is proud of our armed forces.”

He called on people to adopt the same image on their social media accounts “as a mark of respect to our forces and their success”.

Union ministers including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also changed their display pictures, along with BJP president Nitin Nabin and other party leaders.

Operation Sindoor was conducted by India’s army, navy, air force and the Border Security Force between May 7 and May 10 last year, targeting what officials described as militant infrastructure and military facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Indian authorities said the operation was launched in retaliation for the April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people, including 25 Hindu tourists and a local guide, were killed.

In a statement posted on X, Singh described Operation Sindoor as a “powerful symbol” of India’s resolve and military preparedness.

“Their actions during the operation reflected unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services,” he wrote.

Shah said the operation demonstrated the “precise striking power” of India’s armed forces, intelligence agencies and political leadership.

“This day will continue to bring the dreadful message to our enemies that no matter where they hide, they cannot escape,” he said.

Jaishankar also shared the Operation Sindoor logo on social media, while Nabin said the operation symbolised India’s “self-respect, justice and unwavering resolve”.