Brig R K Singh (Retd)
Ensuing Op Sindoor anew normal has been articulated by the Prime Minister NarendraModi in his address to the nation on 12 May 25. Unequivocally, a big NO to terror and talks, terror and trade, nuclear blackmail and any further terrorist attacks will be paid back with punitive actions. India will decide when, where and the intensity. It is clear message to Pakistan, World and regional players and ill-intentioned individuals or orgnisations within India as well. Multifold success of Op Sindoor in all domains to include strategic, operational and tactical has far reaching implications and challenges for diplomacy and military preparedness. It would be naïve to assume that Pakistan would amend its state policy to shun terror. Pakistan sponsored terror tactics will further get refined post Op Sindoor and appear in other spheres or with more severe ferocity. For some time it would hide and bide time. India needs to reorient strategic, operational and home land security. The sense of commitment to the new normal has to be felt by every citizen of India and train their minds accordingly to remain united to envision a developed India with zero tolerance to terror.
Strategic Shift
The controlled, measured, precise and non-escalatory response against terror establishments has stunned the world and regional players. Something that Pakistan did not imagine happened and resorted to a hurried retaliation on civil and military infrastructure there by escalating the arena. Surprisingly Pakistan, a nuclear rouge was rattled in three days and threw the towel. The alacrity in planning and execution of Op Sindoor at the apex level is a testimony to a significant shift in the strategic thinking of India. The risks and challenges to enter a nuclear immature nation and decimate their might is un parallel in the history of war against terror. Ironically, no other nation including NATO or USA has been able to achieve this kind of result. India in the past has suffered so many grotesque terror attacks like 93 Mumbai blasts, 26/11 Mumbai and Parliament to name few. Thousands of civilian lives and security forces have sacrificed fighting terror since 1989. In a major shift India instead of searching and killing terrorists or exchanging dossiersattacked the fountain head of terror establishments, all told nine centers deep inside Pakistan. Pakistan took it as an attack on itself and got badly mauled. Pakistan got isolated in the international community.
Diplomatic parleys continued throughout on India’s terms and with aplomb, suspension of Indus Water Treaty (IWT), return of Pak nationals, abrogation of trade and closure of air space were initiated to hurt a delinquent and terror happy nation. Pathetic nuclear blackmail was out rightly challenged.
The nation united to allow strategic shift and bold decisions were taken by the government. Images of dastardly terror acts at Pahalgam were beyond comprehension and only way to restore faith was to act fast and resolutely against terror. Op Sindoor is not yet over the people of India have given a brief interlude to Pakistan to reflect and mend ways.
Operational Accomplishments
Operational paradigm also matured immediately to sync with strategic shift. The Indian Armed Forces and government civil departments aligned quickly for operational tasks. The national effort paved way for very quick and precise operations by the three forces to deploy and unleashed attacks to achieve the stated politico military aim and render terror infrastructure ineffective. The aim was achieved on Day 1 in a sharp operation in about 25 minutes. A real thunderbolt for Pakistan, it was jolted to the core; unimaginable pain was inflicted that rattled Pakistan. The world witnessed the defining moment for India, India choose the ideal path to only target terrorists and their infrastructure but wisdom failed and Pakistan identified itself with terrorists and resorted to retaliation. Morally high India rendered Pakistan paralysed along approximately 3000 Km frontage. Pakistan lost strategically, operationally and tactically. Weapons, drones, missiles aircrafts, air bases, loss of soldiers alongLoC sector, naval blockade and low morale brought down Pakistan on knees. The three Services emerged as pillars of excellence for India. Pakistan begged for ceasefire, only a pause in the operational domain has been granted.
The master class deployment of weapons, air defence systems, integrated employment of forces, and accuracy of weapon platforms, indigenoussystems, and leadership leading from front made a remarkable success.It allowed realistic intelligence; surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) coupled with human intelligence for long range vectors for precision targeting and repulsed attacks against India. A big and audacious goal was archived by the armed forcesand established national security. No corner in Pakistan is now safe for terrorist and status quo of nuclear bluff has beenbraved.Operationally Pakistan has sensed unfolding of SNIPE (Short Notice Incremental and Escalatory). This led to stark decision dilemma and forced Pakistan to reach out for cease fire. Pakistan succumbed to new age warfare.
The outstanding operational success has even upset China and USA. China is a real adversary of India and ardent supporter of Pakistan. USA has been and is a strategic partner of Pakistan in South Asia. USA has used the soil of Pakistan for several decades for operations in Afghanistan and needs it for future too to act against Iran, Afghanistan and in some eventuality even against China.
Other regional neighbours will also study the asymmetric leverages that India made during the operations and will tone their foreign policies accordingly. It augurs well for India. Apparently it would cast a shadow on Chinese influence on India’s neighbours.
Tactical Insights
Indian Military at the doctrinal level has achieved realistic values of sustained professional training, tactical soundness and relied on procedural processes to achieve its aims at various levels. Brave endurance of soldiers, proficiency in handling sophisticated weapons, adeptness to technical prowess and mission reliability has been par excellence by the three services duly complimented by Para Military Forces and Civil Administration. Resources integration and management of air defence umbrella along the western border is a significant display of cohesiveness. The indigenous weapons systems are now war proven that have stood to real test.The world has witnessed through all pervasive media. The preparations for defence of nation will never be complete and is a continuous processes.Aiming for excellence will be the order of the future.
Implications for Indian Armed Forces
Enunciations of new normal post Op Sindooer’s is a challenging warfare doctrine. The disruptive nature of the state sponsored terrorism by Pakistan will continue to evolve in different realms. This will require a very sophisticated ISR capability;real time intelligence from Pakistan and within, flushing out of over ground workers within India. In addition dedicated satellite coverage, costal defence,cyber security, further upgrade of conventional forces and adoption of indigenous cutting edge technology. India has to establish long pending formal structures for integration of armed forces.
Diplomatic Aspects
Diplomatically also Inda had a huge success during the planning and conduct of Op Sindoor. The world players abundantly supported India to take action against terror plotters and infrastructure. As of now Op Sindoor is postponed and India has briefed military attaché of 70 countries and they acknowledge controlled conduct of operations. UNSC had also condemned the dastardly acts of terrorists and did not heed to requests of Pakistan. The nuclear bluff has been called off. Some of the terrorists killed in Pakistan had links with several worldwide terrorist actions which must have given them solace that justice has been done.
Economic Issues
Economically India has the resilience to withstand and progress in spite of operations against Pakistan. In fact it would further build confidence in other nations planning investment in a safer environment. The growth of India synonymous with secure borders and internal security. Homeland security of India needs further boost and any activity against the national security should be swiftly and dedicatedly be nipped in the bud. Research and development of sophisticated weapons, surveillance systems, niche intelligence set up and procurement of state of art equipment from indigenous sources should be a norm. Collaboration with friendly nations for technology transfer to boost Make in India is equally desirable.In the long run it may even boost defence cooperation with other countries and import from India.
Conclusion
To conclude it would be appropriate to highlight that India has carved a New World Order through OpSindoor. It would be apt to bring Pakistan to terms and ensure that blood and water does not flow together; it has implications for Pakistan, regional nations and others to say NO to terror and its perpetrators. The success of Op Sindoor should translate in lasting peace on own terms. The rest will fall in place automatically. India has to walk the talk.
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