Operation Sindoor: India's Strategic Response to Terror Threats from Pakistan
India's Tri-Service Operation in Response to Terrorism
New Delhi: Following the recent terror incident in Pahalgam, India has launched a comprehensive tri-service operation aimed at dismantling critical military and terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), as confirmed by high-ranking army officials on Monday.
During a press conference, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, the Director-General of Operations for the Indian Air Force (IAF), disclosed that targeted airstrikes were executed near Karachi, focusing on a surface-to-air missile site located at Malir Cantonment, a heavily fortified military area approximately 35 kilometers from Pakistan's economic hub.
"Every action was a calculated and proportional military response to the ongoing threats posed by drone, missile, and cross-border aggressions from Pakistan," stated Air Marshal Bharti.
In addition to the Karachi strike, the IAF successfully neutralized a radar installation near Lahore, reportedly employing Israeli-made HARPY loitering munitions to target a Chinese HQ-9 air defense system.
Another radar facility near Gujranwala in Punjab was also destroyed, demonstrating India's commitment to undermining Pakistan's surveillance and early warning systems.
These actions are part of what the Indian military has termed Operation Sindoor—a meticulously coordinated strike that took place on May 7, lasting 25 minutes.
The operation resulted in the neutralization of nine terrorist facilities—four located in mainland Pakistan and five in PoK—leading to the reported elimination of over 100 terrorists, as previously mentioned by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Indian Navy played a crucial role in this operation.
Officials confirmed that India's carrier strike groups, attack submarines, and maritime aviation units were deployed off the coast of Karachi, compelling the Pakistani Navy and Air Force to adopt a defensive stance, either remaining close to shore or docked.
"Our naval forces were fully prepared to execute precise strikes against both land and sea targets, including those in and around Karachi," Vice-Admiral A.N. Pramod informed the media.
This display of military strength was intended to create psychological pressure and limit Pakistan's operational flexibility during the brief conflict period.
In retaliation to the Indian strikes, Pakistan initiated a series of drone and missile assaults on Indian military sites across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Cities such as Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Jaisalmer experienced air raid alerts and temporary power outages.
Over the next 72 hours, the Indian Air Force continued to apply pressure by conducting targeted strikes on key Pakistani airbases, including Rafiqui, Chaklala, Murid, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, and Bholari.
These airfields reportedly housed a significant portion of Pakistan's F-16 and JF-17 aircraft.