Debris of exploded object suspected from Operation Sindoor found in Dal Lake, sent for examination

Dal Lake

The debris of an exploded object suspected to be used during Operation Sindoor was recently recovered from Dal Lake in Srinagar. Officials confirmed that the discovery took place on Sunday during a routine clean-up drive inside the lake.

Officials speaking to The Hindu suspected the exploded object could be from Operation Sindoor, when India and Pakistan targeted each other with missiles and drones between May 7 and 10 earlier this year.

They said the object, apparently an exploded shell, was spotted in the lake and handed over to the police immediately.

According to NDTV, Jammu and Kashmir Police said that the recovered components of the live missile would be neutralised and shifted to another site. “A component of the missile has been handed over to the Air Force,” the police further added.

The incident has raised concerns given Dal Lake’s prominence as a major tourist hub in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities said that had the missile exploded, the consequences could have been catastrophic for residents and visitors, as per the report.

Shortly after India carried out Operation Sindoor earlier in May, a missile-like object had splashed into the depths of Dal Lake, according to NDTV. On the morning of May 10, Srinagar witnessed loud explosions, and smoke was seen rising from the water surface after the projectile landed.

Operation Sindoor was India’s retaliatory strike against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The assault in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, including that of a Nepali national.

On the intervening night of May 6 and 7, the Indian Army and the Air Force executed the strike under the codename Operation Sindoor. Between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM, within just 25 minutes, 24 missiles were fired, targeting nine terror facilities. According to officials, the coordinated operation eliminated around 70 terrorists.

India described Operation Sindoor as a “measured and proportionate” response to the Pahalgam massacre. The precision strikes were intended to dismantle the networks operating across the border while sending a strong message against cross-border terrorism.