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Operation Sindoor: India’s Tactical Triumph Through Precision StrikesOverview

In response to the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives, Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Air Force on May 7. Designed as a surgical counterstrike, it deployed a blend of cutting-edge weaponry—including BrahMos cruise missiles, SCALP and Crystal Maze missiles, loitering munitions, and advanced air-defense systems—targeting terrorist infrastructure and military installations across Pakistan and PoK. The operation concluded within four days following a ceasefire, showcasing India’s strategic and technological prowess.


IAF targeted LeT headquarters in Muridke with five to six Crystal Maze missiles, while JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur were targetted with 6-7 SCALP missiles. | Hindustan Times
IAF targeted LeT headquarters in Muridke with five to six Crystal Maze missiles, while JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur were targetted with 6-7 SCALP missiles. | Hindustan Times

Precision Strikes: Weapon by Weapon

1. BrahMos Supersonic Missiles

  • Launched from Su‑30MKIs, approximately 15–19 BrahMos cruise missiles struck 11 key Pakistani airbases on May 10, targeting runways, hangars, and radar sites to disrupt air defense systems.

  • These missiles achieved near-perfect precision, with some impacts within 1 meter of intended targets, showcasing exceptional accuracy.


2. Crystal Maze & SCALP Missiles

  • Crystal Maze missiles obliterated the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters in Muridke.

  • SCALP missiles, launched from Rafale jets, hit terror infrastructure in Bahawalpur and Muridke with pinpoint accuracy, leveraging advanced terrain radar and infrared guidance.


3. Loitering Munitions & AASM HAMMER

  • SkyStriker kamikaze drones targeted mobile terror assets in rugged terrains.

  • AASM HAMMER bombs struck hardened bunkers and command shelters, providing deep-penetration capability with stand-off delivery.


4. Radar Neutralization & Air Defense

  • Indian S‑400 and Akash air defense systems, alongside Su‑30s, downed four Chinese-made fighter jets, two large aircraft, and destroyed four radar units, including HQ‑9, LY‑80, and AN/TPQ‑43 systems.


Operational Outcomes

Military Edge

  • Pakistan reportedly lost up to six aircraft, including fighter jets and surveillance planes.

  • Pakistan reportedly launched PL‑15 missiles and UAVs, but most were intercepted or jammed by India’s defenses.


Strategic Impact

  • Pakistan’s retaliatory Operation Bunyan‑al‑Marsoos aimed for a 48‑hour offensive but collapsed within 8 hours, as confirmed by CDS General Anil Chauhan.

  • Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged that BrahMos strikes disrupted their planned offensive.


Aftermath & Upgrades

  • The Defence Ministry approved upgrades across all three services: longer‑range loitering ammunition, kamikaze drones, enhanced artillery shells, and advanced beyond‑visual‑range air‑to‑air missiles.

  • Successes by BrahMos and Akash during Operation Sindoor served as proof of India’s self‑reliant defense manufacturing, boosting their export appeal.


Political Narrative

  • Prime Minister Modi celebrated the operation as a tactical and symbolic victory, stating Pakistan was forced to “kneel” and nine terror camps were demolished in just 22 minutes.

  • He emphasized continued readiness: “Future provocations will be answered with even greater force” .


International Attention

  • The London‑based RUSI think tank noted Operation Sindoor marked a strategic shift: calibrated use of force aimed at coercive precision, not wide‑scale war.

  • Global and US diplomatic channels reportedly intervened to defuse further escalation, underscoring the regional significance of the conflict.


Conclusion

Operation Sindoor showcased India’s evolving military doctrine, combining precision-strike capability, indigenous developmental strength, and measured strategic deterrence. Beyond immediate military gains, the operation signaled India’s readiness to defend its citizens against terror with technological sophistication, while avoiding uncontrolled escalation. With renewed arsenals and a stronger defense posture, Operation Sindoor marks a recalibration in India’s approach to cross-border conflict and national security.


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