New Delhi: For the first time, India’s military leadership has opened up in detail about Operation Sindoor, the cross-border action launched in May this year in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, described the operation as one of the deepest and most precise missions carried out since 1971, with strikes penetrating 300 kilometres inside Pakistani territory.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the 93rd Air Force Day, Singh credited the coordinated efforts of the Army, Navy and Air Force for the success of the operation. He revealed that the deployment of long-range precision missile systems and surface-to-air missiles “brought them to their knees” in just one night of action.
“We pushed them to a point where they were forced to ask for a ceasefire. As a nation, we ended the operation because our objectives had been fully achieved,” Singh said, referring to the decision on May 10 to halt hostilities after four days of intense clashes.
A Swift and Decisive Response
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, less than three weeks after the Pahalgam attack. Indian forces targeted terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, eliminating over 100 militants and destroying nine camps, according to the IAF. The air chief underlined that the strikes were swift and deliberate, designed to avoid a prolonged conflict.
The operation also saw India shoot down five Pakistani fighter jets – F-16s and JF-17s – during aerial engagements. Singh described this as a demonstration of India’s ability to strike deep and strike accurately.
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First Such Operation Since 1971
Calling Sindoor “the first catastrophic operation publicly acknowledged since 1971,” Singh highlighted its historic nature. “We proved to be achook (unerring), abhedya (impenetrable), and sateek (precise),” he said, underscoring the seamless coordination between the three services.
He also revealed that work is underway on a new integrated air defence system, codenamed Sudarshan Chakra, which will involve the Army, Navy and Air Force working as one networked force.
Media’s Role Against Misinformation
Interestingly, Singh also praised the role of the Indian media during the clashes. “There was a flood of misinformation, but our media stood strong. Public morale should not be shaken when soldiers are fighting, and channels ensured that,” he said.
The Lesson of Sindoor
For India’s defence establishment, Operation Sindoor has become a textbook case of how modern conflicts can be fought: with clear objectives, precision weaponry, limited duration, and overwhelming impact.
“It will go down in history as the operation that turned the tables,” Singh concluded.
