How India ensured its success in Op Sindoor The Statesman 20 May 2025
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How India ensured its success in Op Sindoor The Statesman 20 May 2025
Operation Sindoor is now paused as India continues to monitor Pakistan’s actions and activities. The operation lasted four days, at the end of which Pakistan, a nuclear weapons state, backed by China, Turkey and Azerbaijan, sought termination of hostilities. This is in vast contrast to current ongoing global conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. India, as against other conflicts, had no intention of occupying territory. It had sought to convey the message that terrorist actions are unacceptable and will invite a backlash.
The end state was determined by the political leadership, which was to convey a stern warning, in case of future terrorist strikes, while ensuring no collateral damage. The exit strategy based on possible Pak reaction was evolved by the armed forces and approved by the political authority. The modus operandi, date, timings, as also choice of weapons was left to the forces, a perfect politico-military coordination. The operations, once commenced, were closely monitored by the CCS. As against Pakistan, India had decided not to target civilians.
Indian armed forces initially destroyed select terrorist camps, employing a combination of ground and air launched weapons, each accurately, choosing the time when there would be minimum civilians in vicinity. The strikes were so accurate that neighbouring structures were undamaged. Post the first strike, India left a message for Pakistan on the hot line, that only terrorist camps, not military facilities, have been destroyed.
Pak refused to take the hint as terrorists have greater value than soldiers. The second retaliation was a display of India’s military prowess, accurately destroying airfields and radar sites. It opened Pakistan to any future strikes as its air defence capabilities as also its operational airfields, were unusable. Pakistan was down on its knees.
The impact of India’s successful military campaign added power to the government’s decision of holding the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance. India can now negotiate from a position of strength at a time of its choosing. Pakistan is on the backfoot despite all its threats.
The Indian military successfully completed its assigned objectives. No armed force in the world possesses needed capabilities for immediate operations. There are shortcomings, some critical. Success flows when you hide your shortcoming and exploit your strength. That is what the Indian armed forces excelled in.
Added was close coordination with multiple intelligence agencies to obtain update inputs on designated terrorist camps as also other targets, some of which were shifted at the last moment to avoid casualties. This was possible as the NSA, who controls them, was part of the planning process.
Next was close collaboration between the three forces. All air defence assets of the army were placed under the air force, which employed them effectively in a coordinated manner. It brings to fore Late General Bipin Rawat’s, intent to create an air defence command, which was then debunked by the air force, but proved possible in this short conflict. It can now be revived. UAVs were shared between the forces. Integration in firepower was complete. Such synergy was never witnessed in earlier conflicts.
Post Uri, there was a view that India will need to retaliate to Pak’s future terrorist misadventures. Hence, capabilities began being enhanced. Post Pulwama, when Balakote was struck, India lost credibility, even internally, as it lacked visual evidence. The air force then had to launch missiles after crossing the LoC. These lessons were imbibed, alongside those from ongoing global conflicts.
After Balakote, the Indian armed forces began preparing for the next round. It was not the question of if, but when, as Pakistan continued to support terrorism. At some stage it was bound to cross the Indian threshold of tolerance. India enhanced its ability to strike and obtain PSDA (Post Strike Damage Assessment), while Pakistan developed air defence measures to prevent Indian aircraft from entering its air space.
In the final analysis, Indian strikes were successful, each target engaged with precision from well within Indian territory, employing different weapon systems as also assessed for PSDA, while Pakistan’s ability to damage India’s assets failed. This was because India had prepared better and its armed forces are professional rather than being involved in governance.
India had largely relied on its indigenous air defence products, which it amalgamated with multiple equipment, including the S 400. India’s domestic defence industry shone, while those of China and Turkey, which supported Pakistan, proved to be failures.
India sent a firm message that no part of Pakistan is safe from Indian retaliation. PM Modi could lay down his new red lines only because the military gave him the desired end state. The immediate impact was inputs of Pakistan shifting its military HQs from Rawalpindi to Islamabad, with the intent of locating it in a major city which houses embassies, a clear sign of fear.
India won global recognition as against other ongoing conflicts, as there were no civilian casualties. It was precision targeting, the likes of which have not been witnessed in recent times. Those eliminated were either terrorists or uniformed. The fact that India achieved its aims within a short span under a nuclear threat, was indicative of its military prowess.
India’s maturity stemmed from it not contradicting Pakistan’s attempt at face saving within its own borders. It announced Pak requesting for a ceasefire, but maintained silence when it was denied by Islamabad. It neither humiliated Pakistan by unwarranted threats nor by highlighting their strategic losses. India displayed strategic independence, when it refused to accept global interjection in its intent.
Rejecting Trump’s claims of brokering talks by the PM himself in his national address was a masterstroke. It left the US red faced while conveying that despite announcements by Pak, all issues between India and Pakistan will remain bilateral, overriding Islamabad’s debunking of the Shimla agreement. It forced the US to re-state that it hopes India and Pak can commence dialogue.
Maturity was also witnessed when no Indian politician rushed before global media projecting the Indian stand, as compared to Pakistan, whose political leaders made buffoons of themselves when their lies were caught on global media networks. India was clear on who was behind Pahalgam and needed to convince no one. This is the new and powerful India. It will act when it is threatened.
India achieved its military aims, giving a boost to the political authority, which laid down India’s new red lines, which will dominate Indo-Pak ties of the future.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army