Dr Sunil Bhardwaj
Operation Sindoor, a punitive campaign against terror infrastructure, was catapulted by India in response to a devastating Pakistan backed terror attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, where 26 civilians were killed that sent shockwaves through the nation. It was not just an attack – it was a massacre marked by the selective targeting of identity, a gruesome reminder of the darkest side of religious extremism claiming innocent lives. It was an apparent attempt to foment communal violence in India. A doctrine that subjugates Pakistani minds from the times of Muhammad Ali Jinnah to Muhammad Zia-Ul-Haq to Pervaz Musharraf to Asif Ali Zardari and so on.
Pakistan has a documented history of transgressing principles of democracy, human rights, and international law, often characterized by military rule and the military’s pervasive political influence and for decades, India’s responses to such provocations were often reactive and restrained. Even in 2016 surgical strike and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, India exercised restrained force targeting specific terror infrastructure and avoided striking deep into Pakistan’s mainland. But, this time under the resolute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the narrative has seen a paradigm shift and objective was to dismantle Pakistan’s terror factories operating in Pakistan. India’s security landscape has undergone a complete overhaul in the past decade, marked by assertive postures and calibrated military responses to threats across its borders. Our former Prime Minister and visionary statesman Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee accentuated at many occasions to strike a balance between India’s commitment to peace and to protect India’s sovereignty as top priority. Now, India is not only prepared to defend its sovereignty but is also willing to take bold initiatives when its sovereignty is challenged or national interests are threatened. In a volatile region where traditional hostilities continue to simmer and hybrid warfare tactics are increasingly employed, Operation Sindoor was planned under Prime Minister’s leadership with precision and foresight. Vegetius, a Roman writer who penned ‘De Re Militari’- The Art of War said that, ‘If you want peace, prepare for war’ means ‘Peace without Power is Utopian’. Throughout the development with Pakistan PM Modi stayed focused on objective against terrorism and established that ‘terrorism and its sponsors will be treated alike’. India’s offensive strikes targeted key Pakistani airbases Noor Khan and Rahim Yar Khan besides terrorist camps like Sawai Nala, Sayed Na Bilal, Abdullah Bin Masood, Balakot, Kotli, Dungi, Muridkeetcwith surgical precision. Sites like Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba in Muridke were not arbitrary targets-they were the nerve centres behind some of the most heinous attacks on India, including the IC814 hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai carnage. Camps in Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Barnala served as hubs for fanatical indoctrination and recruitment. Meanwhile, the Sarjal facility at Tehra Kalan was identified as a key weapons storage site, and Kotli and Muzaffarabad functioned as forward launchpads for terrorists infiltrating Indian territory. Operation Sindoor stands as a defining example of this transformation-an operation that not only displayed India’s defense preparedness and integration of tri-Services but also conveyed an explicit message of strategic clarity, resilience, and deterrence to adversaries.
Another facet of this operation was the fusion of indigenous hi-tech capabilities with contemporary warfare techniques. The operation showcased India’s ability to synergize intelligence, surveillance, and advanced weapon systems into an effective strike capability. By leveraging cutting-edge indigenous defense technologies alongside well-trained forces, India reaffirmed its doctrine: credible deterrence coupled with calibrated response. From surveillance drones to precision strike platforms, India relied heavily on its growing defense manufacturing ecosystem, aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The Indian drone market is projected to reach $ 11 billion by 2030 which will account for 12.2% of the global drone market. The policy reforms, focus on domestic R&D, ban on imported drone since 2021 and the launch of PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes have been catalyzing this rapid innovation. Indigenous defense production has reached Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24 while exports crossed to Rs 23,622 crores in FY 2024-25, 34-fold increase from year 2013-14 fueled by robust R&D, private investment and strategic reforms. Operation Sindoor has proved that India’s Indigenous air defense as well as electronic warfare network remained superior to many of foreign supplied weaponry to Pakistan like ‘PL-15 missile’ of China, UAV named ‘Yiha’ or ‘YEEHAW’ of Turkey and many other long-range rockets, quadcopters and commercial drone which were successfully intercepted and destroyed during the operation. Make in India initiative launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in September 2014 continues to power the growth of the Indian defense sector. This self-reliance not only strengthens operational capabilities but also reduces dependency on foreign suppliers in critical times. The success of Operation Sindoor underlines the growing maturity of India’s defense-industrial complex under NDA regime.
Furthermore, the psychological and diplomatic impact of the operation was profound. India’s prudent, focused and mensurable kinetic and non-kinetic efforts have played an indispensable part in shaping global geo-political and strategic environment in India’s favour. The abeyance of 65 years old Indus water treaty (IWT) was perhaps the most radical move in recent chronicle because the Indus water system supports 237 million people and contributes to one-fourth of Pakistan’s GDP through crops like wheat, rice and cotton etc. By keeping the Indus water treaty in abeyance India has sent a clear message that the ‘Blood and Water cannot flow together’. Suspending the IWT is a powerful non-kinetic weapon which will severely weaken Pakistan’s economy and morale, and mark a historic shift in India’s strategic doctrine. It gives India a strategic upper hand in rethinking, redesigning and renegotiating Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in present context after Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross boarder terrorism.
In present era of multi-dimensional warfare where threats are dynamic and ever evolving, Indian national security architecture has demonstrated an exceptional synergy and foresight. The synchronized, calibrated and effective response of tri-Services embodied in purpose, professionalism and precision was paradigmatic during the Operation Sindoor. Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya once opined that ‘Unity in diversity and the expression of unity in various forms has remained the thought of Bhartiya Culture’ which was clearly displayed during Operation Sindoor. The operation beckoned to the world that ambivalence is no longer India’s policy. It signifies a shift in India’s doctrine, where any terror attack on Indian soil will be considered as an act of war, warranting a swift and befitting retaliation. The proactive approach has been a game changer, bolstering India’s reputation as a vigilant nation and a stabilizing power in the Indo-Pacific and South Asian region.
Our valiant soldiers unveiled supernal courage to hit the target of operation Sindoor. Prime minister addressed the armed forces and salute the valiant forces of India, the armed forces, our intelligence agencies, and our scientists and said operation sindoor is not only a proof of India’s military prowess, but a symbol of the country’s rapidly increasing self reliance in defence sector and the Government’s commitment towards indigenous technology. As India stride towards Viksit Bharat 2047, operations like Sindoor instantiate the country’s evolving defense doctrine-firm, future-ready, and strategically coherent. They also serve as a reminder that national security requires constant vigilance, investment in technology, and an unwavering commitment to sovereignty. Operation Sindoor will thus be remembered not merely as a tactical success, but as a landmark in India’s journey towards establishing defense superiority rooted in clarity of purpose, unbroken pledge of justice and strategic self-confidence. Operation Sindoor was not just a military retaliation in response to Pahalgam attack but it was an unambiguous proclamation of resolve that those who shelter terrorists will no longer be safe.
(The author is a Member of Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir from Ramnagar Assembly Constituency)
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