Operation Sindoor: Over 100 Terrorists Eliminated, Pakistani Airbases Hit — A Global Signal of India's Strategic Triumph
- MGMMTeam
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
On May 7, India launched targeted and coordinated strikes on terrorist infrastructure under the operation code-named Sindoor in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The aftermath saw India and Pakistan nearing full-scale war as both nations engaged in missile and drone attacks.
More than 100 hours into the intensifying conflict, a ceasefire was declared on the evening of May 10 after a battered Pakistan reached out to India to halt the violence.
As India’s borders finally experienced their first peaceful night in days, the question now on everyone’s mind is: What did Operation Sindoor accomplish? How effective was the Indian military in achieving its objectives?
Major harm inflicted on Pakistan
The operation commenced successfully as India achieved its primary objective, striking nine terror training camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This included the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and the Lashkar-e-Taiba training facility in Muridke.
In targeting these terror bases, India neutralized over 100 terrorists, some of whom were implicated in the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Even Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar acknowledged that 10 members of his family were among those killed in the military action.
As Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the Director General of Military Operations, stated in a press briefing on May 11, “Those strikes across those nine terror hubs left more than 100 terrorists killed, including high value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed that were involved in the hijack of IC-814 and the Pulwama blast.”
Air Marshal AK Bharti agreed, affirming that Operation Sindoor had successfully eliminated terror camps and accomplished its goals with remarkable accuracy. “Have we achieved our objectives of decimating the terrorist camps, and the answer is a thumping yes and the results are for the whole world to see.”
He further emphasized that the operation was intended to strike specific targets with accuracy, rather than focusing on the body count. “Whatever methods and whatever means we have chosen, it had the desired effects on the enemy targets. How many casualties? How many injuries? Our aim was not to inflict casualties, but in case there have been, it is for them to count. Our job is to hit the target, not to count the body bags,” he said.
The Indian government later explained that this time, the focus was on targeting the "head of the snake, not the foot soldiers." As one government official shared with NDTV, “The message that has been sent is that no matter where you are in Pakistan, we will hit you. On this occasion, we have gone after the head of the snake and not foot soldiers.”
“It showed our approach of ‘ghar me ghus ke marenge (kill them within their home)’,” said the source.
In response to Pakistan's aggressive move with a barrage of drones and missiles, India launched a counterstrike that caused significant damage to the neighboring country. The Indian Air Force (IAF) executed a precise and strategic operation, targeting key Pakistani military installations deep within the country. The IAF successfully hit air bases, command centers, military infrastructure, and air defense systems across the Western Front in a well-coordinated and calculated manner.
“The bases we struck include Chaklala, Rafiqui, and Rahim Yar Khan, sending a clear message that aggression will not be tolerated. This was followed by strikes at Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad,” said Air Marshal AK Bharti in Sunday’s press briefing.
Operation Sindoor inflicted significant damage on Pakistan's Rahim Yar Khan airbase, located in the Punjab province. The airbase's only runway has been rendered non-operational for a duration of one week.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh also expressed a similar sentiment during a briefing that followed the announcement of the ceasefire. “There has been extensive damage to crucial Pakistani airbases like Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad and Bhulari. Also, loss of air defence weapons and radars made the defence of Pakistani airspace untenable. Across the LoC, extensive and precise damage to military infrastructure, command and control centres and logistics installations led to a complete breakdown of its defensive and offensive capabilities,” she added.
Air Marshal A K Bharti confirmed that the Indian Air Force successfully intercepted and downed multiple advanced Pakistani aircraft, which could include F-16s or J-10Cs, preventing them from entering Indian airspace.
India's military dominance over Pakistan
Operation Sindoor showcased India's military strength while revealing the vulnerability of Pakistan's air defense. Indian Rafale jets, armed with Scalp missiles and Hammer bombs, carried out the operation flawlessly, with no reported losses, underscoring India's technological and strategic advantage.
Additionally, India fortified its airspace with a strong, multi-layered defense system and successfully breached Pakistan’s Chinese-made defense systems.
In the press briefing held yesterday, India also confirmed that it had downed several advanced Pakistani jets. “Their planes were prevented from entering inside our border… Definitely, we have downed a few planes… Definitely, there are losses on their side which we have inflicted,” Air Marshal AK Bharti said.
Previous reports indicated that India reportedly downed a Pakistani F-16 and potentially two JF-17 fighter jets, along with intercepting various projectiles and missiles. Additionally, Pakistan’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was also claimed to have been shot down by Indian forces. However, the official did not clarify the exact types of aircraft that were destroyed.
When questioned about the precise number of Pakistani aircraft that were downed, Air Marshal Bharti responded, “We would not like to hazard a guess out here”.
India's boundary and its statement to the global community
Operation Sindoor has marked a shift in India's strategic doctrine, confirming that state-sponsored terrorism will now be met with targeted, visible, and proportional responses. As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, but a symbol of India’s political, social and strategic willpower. Following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that this New India will take effective action against terrorism on both sides of the border,” he said.
India demonstrated through Operation Sindoor its commitment to confronting terrorism head-on — at any time and in any place. It made it clear that terrorists and their handlers have nowhere to hide.
According to government sources, Operation Sindoor successfully achieved its military, political, and psychological objectives. The operation, which involved a deep strike within Pakistani territory, sent a definitive message: "Ghus ke maarenge," indicating India's readiness and capability to strike whenever necessary.
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