Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a swift, calibrated military response launched by India in early May 2025 after a horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. In the pre-dawn hours of May 7, the Indian Armed Forces struck nine terrorist infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, codename “Sindoor” (symbolizing sacrifice), was designed as a focused blow to militant camps run by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, without provoking wider war. By precisely targeting camps used to train and arm terrorists, the strikes underscored India’s resolve to defend its citizens and borders. Importantly, the Indian government stressed that no Pakistani military bases or civilian areas were hit, only confirmed terror hideouts were neutralized. Indian leaders described the action as “measured, precise and responsible,” aiming to dismantle terrorist networks while protecting innocent lives.

The aftermath of Operation Sindoor was visible on the ground. For example, one of the Lashkar-e-Taiba camps struck was in Muridke, Punjab, Pakistan. Indian missiles hit a mosque and training compound there (pictured above), rendering the facility in ruins. Muridke had been a 200-acre indoctrination camp for LeT militants. Other sites included the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and multiple camps in Kotli, Barnala, Sarjal, Gulpur, Bilal and Mehmoona, which had been used for recruitment, bombing training and cross-border infiltration. Indian officials noted that every target was selected on strong human and electronic intelligence; after the operation India even published maps showing over 20 terrorist camps on Pakistani territory to justify its strikes.

Geopolitical Background and India’s Motivation

The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, was the immediate catalyst for Operation Sindoor. That attack saw 26 innocent people – tourists and locals – murdered by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. India promptly linked the militants to Pakistan-backed groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed. External Affairs Minister Vikram Misri later confirmed that the probe “clearly established Pakistan links” to the Pahalgam massacre. For years India had warned that Pakistan was tolerating such groups and even plotting attacks from its soil. After Pahalgam, India took strong diplomatic measures: it suspended its role in the Indus Waters Treaty (a vital water-sharing pact), downgraded diplomatic ties, and asked Pakistani envoys to leave.

Even before Sindoor, tensions had been rising. India accused Pakistan of a “sustained campaign of cross-border terror.” Pakistani forces responded by launching salvoes of drones, missiles and artillery toward Indian border regions, from Rajasthan in the west to the Kashmir Valley. The border saw pitched clashes: for example, Pakistani drones attacked airbases at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, while Indian air defenses shot them down. In turn, Indian troops along the Line of Control destroyed several launch pads used by militants for drone attacks. Throughout this escalation, civilian areas were largely spared – Indian cities enforced blackouts and air-raid sirens as precautions.

Amidst this volatile situation, Operation Sindoor was launched. India made it clear that this was not the start of a new war but a retaliation against terror. At a briefing, Foreign Secretary Misri and military spokespeople emphasized that the strikes were “focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India”. No regular Pakistani army or civilian sites were attacked. As IAF spokeswoman Wing Commander Vyomika Singh noted, Sindoor was a “focused, measured and non-escalatory” operation designed to punish terrorists, not to widen the conflict. The strikes were thus framed as a defensive act of Indian sovereignty – a statement that any future cross-border terror would meet with stern response.

The wider geopolitical significance was clear. World leaders watched anxiously. The G7 nations promptly condemned the Pahalgam massacre and urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, warning that any escalation could threaten regional stability. The U.S. foreign policy establishment, while calling for calm, privately signaled understanding of India’s plight. A U.S. congressman publicly supported India’s “right to defend itself against terrorists,” even as he cautioned that India and Pakistan were nuclear-armed peers. Many countries, including the European Union and Japan, echoed calls for de-escalation. At home, Indian political leaders and media overwhelmingly backed the strikes. Opposition parties like Congress joined the call for national unity, saying it was “time for unity, solidarity” against the terror threat.

Indian Armed Forces Deployment and Leadership

Operation Sindoor was truly a tri-services operation, involving the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force in complementary roles. While the striking power came from aircraft and missiles, all branches were mobilized.

Indian Air Force (IAF): The IAF carried out the missile and air strikes that formed the core of Sindoor. Long-range fighter-bombers launched stand-off weapons while remaining in Indian airspace. Sources report that Mirage 2000s and Jaguar strike aircraft (and possibly upgraded Sukhoi Su-30MKIs or Rafales) fired SCALP (Storm Shadow) cruise missiles and HAMMER guided bombs at the nine targets. No Indian pilots had to cross into Pakistani airspace; instead, the weapons flew in at low altitude. After the strikes, the IAF quickly redeployed its fleets to respond to Pakistan’s counter-attacks. Reports indicate that even Pakistan’s air defenses in Lahore were hit by Indian missile fires on May 8 as India neutralized incoming threats.
Indian Army: The Army’s Northern Command – responsible for Jammu & Kashmir – was on high alert throughout. Army mountain divisions and infantry units along the LoC immediately engaged in border action when Pakistan retaliated. In J&K, Army engineers and gunners destroyed multiple Pakistani militant “launchpads” for drones and rockets, using coordinated artillery and gunfire. The Army’s counter-terror forces also cordoned civilian areas vulnerable to stray fire. While the main strike was aerial, the Army’s role was crucial in securing the border, intercepting infiltrations and safeguarding civilians. As a defense source later boasted on social media, “Indian Army pulverizes terrorist launchpads” in the aftermath.
Indian Navy: The Navy took a deterrent stance in the Arabian Sea. Carrier battle groups were deployed off Pakistan’s coast, partly to interdict any possible sea-based retaliation. For example, the first indigenous carrier INS Vikrant and the modified INS Vikramaditya had their MiG‑29K fighter squadrons and helicopters on alert over the water. Long-range P-8I maritime patrol aircraft and navy submarines began tracking Pakistani naval exercises. In fact, reports suggested the Navy may have struck Pakistan’s Karachi naval base on May 8, though official sources remained silent. In any case, Indian destroyers and missile boats equipped with BrahMos and Barak surface-to-air missiles were keeping vigilant watch. As the Maritime Executive noted, India likely “deployed a forward submarine screen covering approaches to Karachi” to enforce a maritime cordon.

At the top, India’s defense leadership was fully engaged. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitored the operation through the night. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the three service chiefs – Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar, and Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari – held last-minute briefings before the strike and coordinated the follow-up response. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed ambassadors on India’s rationale, while Defense Minister Rajnath Singh addressed Parliament and the media. An all-party meeting was convened to explain the operation to opposition leaders. This unity of political and military leadership underscored India’s message: Sindoor was a collective national response to terror, not a partisan move.

Weapons and Technology: Missiles, Jets, Ships and Drones

Operation Sindoor showcased India’s growing repertoire of advanced military technology. A suite of modern weapons was employed, combining foreign acquisitions with Indian-made systems. The emphasis was on precision strike and stand-off range, to hit targets accurately while minimizing risk to Indian pilots and civilians.

Missiles: India used long-range cruise missiles and precision bombs. Chief among them was the SCALP missile (also known as Storm Shadow), a Franco-British cruise missile with a range beyond 250 km. Launched from IAF jets within India, SCALP can glide into enemy territory at low altitude, evading radars to destroy hardened bunkers or infrastructure. The media reported that SCALP missiles were among the weapons that struck key camps like the JeM training center in Bahawalpur. India also employed the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), an advanced precision-guided smart bomb. HAMMER is used to destroy reinforced structures; its 50–70 km stand-off range allowed aircraft to launch it well away from Pakistani airspace.

Though not explicitly confirmed in the strikes, other missile systems strengthened India’s posture. The supersonic BrahMos cruise missile (developed jointly by India and Russia) is in India’s arsenal for anti-ship and land strikes; in 2025 it has a range of about 290 km and flies at Mach 2.8, making it very hard to intercept. India’s ballistic missiles like Prithvi and Pralay, and the nuclear-capable Agni series, remained under deterrent status but underscored India’s second-strike capability. Meanwhile, the Army and Air Force employ the Akash surface-to-air missile and the S-400 air defense system to shield Indian airspace – these systems ensured that Pakistani missiles and drones fired at India could be shot down with confidence.

Fighter Jets and Helicopters: The Indian Air Force deployed multiple combat aircraft. While official sources did not list all the models, it is known that India’s fleet includes Mirage 2000s (upgraded for cruise missiles), Jaguar strike jets, Su-30MKI air superiority fighters, Rafale multirole fighters, and the light HAL Tejas. The SCALP missile is integrated on Mirage 2000 and soon on Rafale, so those jets likely carried the cruise missiles into Pakistani airspace. IAF combat helicopters like the Apache AH-64E gunship and Mil Mi-17 gunship helicopters remained on high alert along the border, ready to target any infiltrating elements or provide close air support if needed. Surveillance helicopters such as the Dornier Do 228 and Russian Ka-31 AWACS helicopter (operating from Navy ships) patrolled the skies for any unexpected threats. Newer indigenous helicopters like the HAL Dhruv (and its armed variant Rudra) and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) were part of India’s developing capabilities, though their exact role in Sindoor was not publicized.

Naval Vessels and Submarines: The Indian Navy also displayed its hardware muscle. Aircraft carriers Vikrant and Vikramaditya were already mentioned. These floating airbases host MiG-29K fighters and Kamov helos, projecting power far out to sea. The destroyer and frigate fleet (INS Delhi, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, and older Kashin/Talwar classes) was at sea equipped with vertically-launched BrahMos missiles and Barak air-defense missiles. India’s stealth guided-missile corvettes (INS Kamorta class) and ASW corvettes patrolled the Indian Ocean, while the new Kalvari-class (Scorpene) diesel-electric submarines (built in India under Project 75) remained on patrol—one report even suggests a submarine-launched cruise missile test occurred around that time. On the strategic side, India’s Arihant nuclear submarine (SSBN) and the ballistic missile submarines it spawns (S5 Bhishma class) maintained deterrence. Together, India’s naval platforms provided a curtain of security in the Arabian Sea, deterring any sea-borne escalation.

Surveillance and Drones: Intelligence and surveillance were critical to Sindoor’s success. India’s space-based and UAV assets monitored Pakistan’s movements. SIGINT (signals intelligence) drones and reconnaissance aircraft likely fed real-time target data. The IAF’s UAVs (like the Heron, Harpy and Searcher drones) kept eyes on the border and inside Pakistan. Notably, India also used loitering munitions – sometimes called “kamikaze drones” – which can hover over a target and crash into it with an explosive payload. These were used for both scouting and destruction of enemy positions. The Army’s Nishant UAV and Air Force’s Rustom drones (still under testing but conceptually similar) exemplify India’s push for domestic drone tech.

“Make in India” Defense Technology: Importantly, Sindoor highlighted India’s growing indigenous defense industry. Many of the systems were built or co-produced in India. For example, the BrahMos missile is assembled in Hyderabad by BrahMos Aerospace, and the Scorpene submarines were built at Mazagon Dock in Mumbai with French collaboration. India’s own Tejas light fighter (built by HAL) is maturing, and its Astra air-to-air missile (developed by DRDO) is being deployed on IAF jets. Sophisticated radars, such as those developed by BEL and DRDO (like the Indian Phalcon AWACS on Embraer aircraft), helped coordinate the strikes. Even the HUMVEE-like Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicles kept the Army’s frontiers secured. Newer programs like the DRDO Arjun battle tank and Pinaka rocket system have come of age. Overall, Operation Sindoor showed how India can increasingly rely on “Make in India” platforms in a real conflict, from missiles to ships to soldiers’ gear.

Humanitarian and Diplomatic Efforts

Even as its military machine roared, India took steps to protect civilians and manage the humanitarian fallout. Civil defense drills and emergency services were activated across the northern states. Over 30 airports in the region were temporarily shut or on high alert to prevent any sabotage, and over 60 domestic flights were canceled on May 8 as a precaution. In Jammu & Kashmir, authorities set up helplines and transit facilities for students and tourists stranded by the sudden closure of schools and roads. Medical teams and disaster relief units were placed on standby in Punjab, Jammu and Himachal Pradesh to assist any border-affected populations. The blackout drills and sirens that periodically went off in Amritsar, Chandigarh and Srinagar reminded citizens to stay indoors and follow official instructions. These measures – though disruptive – illustrated that protecting civilian life was a priority even during the standoff.

On the diplomatic front, India moved quickly to contain escalation. Foreign Secretary Misri held briefings with global diplomats, explaining that Sindoor was a limited, intelligence-driven counter-terrorism operation. NSA Ajit Doval and EAM S. Jaishankar liaised with the U.S., Russia, China and neighbors to seek support against terror. For instance, India highlighted Pakistan’s initiation of hostilities (the April attack) whenever asked. Within days, under international pressure and backchannel talks, both countries agreed to halt fighting. On May 10, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire on land, sea and air from 5 PM onward. The Indian government said the truce was worked out “directly between the two countries,” reflecting private understandings to stop the violence. President Trump (in office through early 2025) hailed the ceasefire as a “full and immediate” step toward peace.

Simultaneously, India reiterated its commitments to regional water and trade arrangements. While New Delhi had suspended parts of the Indus Waters Treaty following Pahalgam, it maintained other international obligations. India also engaged with the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to keep dialogue channels open. In short, India balanced its military response with continued diplomacy and humanitarian concern: striking terror groups firmly, but also working to protect civilians and seeking a rapid diplomatic resolution.

Public and International Reactions

In India, Operation Sindoor was met with a surge of patriotism. News channels hailed the precision strikes and every social media post from government accounts (e.g. “Justice is served. Jai Hind!”) went viral. People across the political spectrum expressed solidarity. Victims’ families, including the father-in-law of the slain Pahalgam bride, publicly thanked the government for taking decisive action. Civil society leaders, movie stars and athletes posted support for the armed forces. The business community and foreign investors, after an initial market dip, seemed reassured by the swift end to hostilities. Newspapers compared Sindoor to earlier operations like Balakot (2019), noting that India’s military and intelligence had come a long way.

Abroad, reactions were mixed but largely favorable toward India’s right to defend itself. Western capitals emphasized restraint: the G7 statement condemned the terror attack and “urged maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan”. China, traditionally sympathetic to Pakistan, called the strikes “regrettable” and urged peace. Russia, a close Indian ally, quietly supported India’s anti-terror stance (continuing arms sales). The United States publicly expressed support for counter-terror operations, as seen in the McCormick quote, while privately urging both sides to avoid conflict. Notably, some media in Pakistan denounced Sindoor as an “illegal strike,” and Pakistan’s army vowed retaliation, but its government eventually agreed to the ceasefire too. In South Asia’s neighborhood, smaller nations (Nepal, Bangladesh, etc.) expressed hope that tensions would cool.

Global strategic analysts noted that Sindoor signaled India’s growing power. It was seen as a textbook demonstration of precision warfare using stand-off weaponry – a far cry from the pitched battles of old. Observers pointed out India’s expanding defense industrial base (e.g. drones and smart bombs) and the maturity of joint operations among the three services. The operation also conveyed that India, while strong, prefers to act responsibly: it targeted only terror centers, not civilian or religious sites. This nuance helped India maintain important international goodwill even in a crisis.

Conclusion: India’s Rising Strength and Global Role

Operation Sindoor reaffirmed India’s image as a rising military power and a responsible global player. By successfully executing a complex air-sea-land strike, India showcased the strength of its “Make in India” defense capabilities alongside cutting-edge imports. The rapid turnaround from the Pahalgam tragedy to the calibrated response demonstrated India’s high-tech readiness. Moreover, the careful public messaging – stressing “precision” and “restraint” – reinforced India’s moral high ground in the fight against terrorism.

For Indian citizens, Sindoor was a moment of national resolve. It sent a clear signal to terrorists and their sponsors that India will not tolerate attacks on its soil. At the same time, the broad diplomatic outreach and emphasis on civilian protection showed that India stands by its international commitments. The operation thus encapsulated the new paradigm of Indian defense: technologically advanced, strategically judicious, and ethically grounded.

As global attention shifts to India’s expanding role in world affairs, Operation Sindoor will be seen as a milestone. It proved that India’s armed forces – from the Valley of Kashmir to the Arabian Sea – are fully capable of defending the nation. It also highlighted India’s defense manufacturing progress, from BrahMos missiles and Tejas jets to indigenous drones. In the years ahead, India’s military readiness and willingness to act against asymmetric threats will shape its position on the world stage. Operation Sindoor is not just a tactical victory against militants; it is a demonstration of India’s growing strategic clout and technological strength in the 21st century.

Sources: Reporting from NDTV, Al Jazeera, Hindustan Times, the Maritime Executive, and official government briefings provided detailed accounts of Operation Sindoor, including the strikes, targets, weapon systems, and statements by Indian and international officials. These sources were used to verify the timeline, forces involved, and equipment employed in the operation. (Image credits as noted in captions.)

Written by Ashutosh Mishra
CTO at ottoX

Operation Sindoor: India’s Precision Strike and Global Impact