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New Delhi, May 27, 2025 (Najaf Ali Shoukat– PMI)In a bold and calculated response to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Described as a landmark in India’s counterterrorism strategy, the operation has reshaped the strategic landscape of South Asia, delivering a potent message to adversaries while showcasing India’s military and digital prowess.
A Response to Pahalgam
The Pahalgam attack, attributed to Pakistan-based terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted tourists and left the nation in mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, framed Operation Sindoor as a mission to “reduce terrorists to dust,” symbolizing justice for the victims, particularly the widows, with the operation’s name evoking the cultural significance of vermilion (sindoor) worn by married Hindu women.
Execution: Precision and Coordination
Launched just past midnight on May 7, Operation Sindoor involved coordinated strikes by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, marking a high level of interoperability. The operation targeted nine terror camps, including key hubs in Muridke, Bahawalpur, and PoK’s Leepa Valley, using stand-off weapons like air-launched cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and long-range drones.
The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps decimated military infrastructure in Leepa Valley, with officials estimating an 8-12 month rebuilding period for Pakistan. A 25-minute operation near Muzaffarabad was so intense that PoK’s 75th Infantry Brigade commander prioritized saving lives over retaliation. In Jammu, the Rajput Regiment neutralized four enemy posts, two of which doubled as terrorist launchpads, leveraging prior intelligence for swift action.
On May 10, Pakistan responded with drone incursions and missile attacks, which India’s Pinaka rocket launcher system and air defense units effectively neutralized, showcasing the robustness of India’s defense capabilities. The operation concluded with a cessation agreement on May 10, following four days of intense exchanges, brokered after Pakistan’s DGMO contacted India’s Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai.
Outcomes: Military and Strategic Wins
Operation Sindoor achieved significant military objectives, with over 100 terrorists eliminated and 11 Pakistani air bases damaged. The operation exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s military, particularly its reliance on underperforming Chinese-supplied hardware, which failed against India’s mix of indigenous and Western platforms. This has raised questions about China’s credibility as an arms exporter.
Politically, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, signaling that water access could be a future leverage point. Diplomatically, India sent all-party delegations to global capitals, including UNSC members, to underscore its zero-tolerance stance on terrorism, though this move drew criticism for bypassing domestic parliamentary briefings.
The Digital Battlefield
Operation Sindoor marked India’s first “war in the age of social media.” The Indian Army’s social media campaign, featuring posters, videos, and rock renditions of poetic lines, became a defining feature, with hashtags like #IndiaStrikesBack and #OperationSindoor trending widely. A notable poster became the backdrop for all briefings, amplifying India’s narrative of strength and resolve. The government also scaled up its IT ministry team to counter misinformation, drawing from G20 summit experience.
Controversies and Criticisms
The operation faced scrutiny at home. CPI leader D Raja and other opposition figures criticized the government for briefing foreign nations before Parliament, demanding a special session for transparency. The arrest of an Ashoka University professor over a social media post on the operation sparked allegations of suppressed dissent. Additionally, trademark applications for “Operation Sindoor” filed in India, the US, and the UK raised eyebrows, though Reliance Industries clarified its filing was unauthorized and withdrawn.
A New Normal?
Operation Sindoor has been hailed as a calibrated use of force, avoiding full-scale war while signaling that India’s response to terrorism will be systematic and scalable. PM Modi’s assertion that Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence no longer constrains India underscores a shift from restraint to proactive retaliation. However, The Hindu cautioned that the operation’s “new normal” lacks a rigorous security review and urged a cost-benefit analysis of civilian and military losses.
As India celebrates the operation’s success, with images of jubilant security forces at Punjab’s Adampur airbase, the nation stands united in its resolve. Yet, Brigadier Mudit Mahajan’s warning that Operation Sindoor is “not over, only suspended” signals that India remains vigilant, ready to respond with “fire and resolve” if challenged again.
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