Operation Sindoor: India’s devastating response to Pakistan

Explore India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, where its air defense acted like a Sudarshan Chakra, leading to Pakistan’s DGMO begging for a ceasefire.

In a decisive and meticulously executed military operation codenamed ‘Sindoor’, India delivered a crushing blow to Pakistan’s air power and military infrastructure in retaliation for the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Operation Sindoor, spanning several days, showcased India’s advanced military capabilities, particularly its air dominance and the effectiveness of its indigenous air defense systems, ultimately leading to Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) urgently seeking a ceasefire.

The Trigger: Barbaric Attack in Pahalgam

The tranquility of the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam was shattered on April 22, 2025, when a brutal terrorist attack claimed the lives of 26 innocent individuals, including tourists. India swiftly attributed this atrocity to Pakistan-backed terrorist organizations, specifically the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy, The Resistance Front (TRF). The attack, marked by its brutality and the targeting of civilians based on their religious identity, ignited widespread outrage across India and galvanized the nation’s resolve to respond firmly against cross-border terrorism.

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Operation Sindoor: India’s Calculated Retaliation

Within weeks of the Pahalgam attack, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on the night of May 6-7, 2025, initiating a strategic air campaign that would systematically dismantle Pakistan’s military capabilities. The operation commenced with precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure located within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). However, as Pakistan retaliated with its own aerial attacks, India’s response escalated to target the very core of Pakistan’s air power.

IAF Dominates the Skies: Strikes on Pakistani Air Bases

The Indian Air Force (IAF) unleashed its might on the night of May 9-10, targeting a significant number of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases with devastating precision. Reports indicate that at least 11 key PAF installations were struck, including strategically vital bases such as Nur Khan (near Rawalpindi), Sargodha (Mushaf), Bholari (near Sukkur), and Jacobabad (Shahbaz). The offensive was spearheaded by the formidable BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a testament to the collaborative efforts of India and Russia in defense technology. This missile, known for its speed and accuracy, formed the tip of India’s spear, striking deep into Pakistani territory from standoff distances.

Alongside the BrahMos, the IAF deployed a range of other advanced precision-guided munitions, including Scalp, Crystal Maze, and Rampage missiles, launched from its fighter aircraft. Prior to the missile strikes, India employed loitering munitions, such as the Israeli Harop drones, to effectively neutralize Pakistan’s air defense systems, paving the way for the subsequent waves of attacks.

The strikes inflicted substantial damage on Pakistan’s air force infrastructure, crippling its ability to conduct offensive operations. Runways were rendered unusable with massive craters, hardened aircraft shelters were destroyed, and critical command and control centers, radar sites, and weapon storage areas were decimated. Former Pakistani Air Marshal Masood Akhtar himself confirmed that an Indian missile strike obliterated a Pakistani AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft at the Bholari airbase, a significant loss for Pakistan’s air surveillance capabilities. India estimated that approximately 20% of Pakistan’s air force infrastructure was rendered inoperable, with reports suggesting the destruction of numerous fighter jets, including F-16s and JF-17s, as well as a significant number of UAVs.

China’s Air Defenses Fail to Protect Pakistan

A significant aspect of Operation Sindoor was the demonstrated ineffectiveness of Pakistan’s air defense systems, a substantial portion of which are of Chinese origin. Systems like the HQ-9 missile batteries and associated radars, touted as advanced air defense platforms, failed to deter or intercept the Indian strikes. The IAF successfully bypassed and jammed these Chinese-supplied systems, completing its mission objectives with remarkable speed. India’s technological superiority in electronic warfare was evident as its forces managed to disrupt and neutralize Pakistan’s radar and communication networks, effectively blinding its air defenses. Reports even indicated that air defense systems in strategic locations like Lahore were specifically targeted and neutralized.

Turkish Drones Prove No Match for India’s Defenses

Pakistan also deployed a large number of Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including models like the Bayraktar TB2 and Asisguard Songar, for reconnaissance and attack purposes during the conflict. Estimates suggest that Pakistan employed hundreds of these drones in an attempt to infiltrate Indian airspace and target military installations. However, India’s multi-layered air defense system, activated under Operation Sindoor, effectively countered this drone threat. Utilizing indigenous anti-drone technology and potentially Israeli-origin Harop loitering munitions, India neutralized the majority of the incoming drones. Reports even suggested that some Turkish drones were shot down within Pakistani territory. The perceived failure of the Turkish drones against India’s air defenses reportedly led to significant frustration within Turkey, highlighting the vulnerability of these systems against a robust and integrated air defense network.

F-16 Downed: A Blow to Pakistan’s Air Power

Adding to Pakistan’s losses, reports emerged confirming that a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet, considered one of the elite aircraft in its fleet, was shot down by India’s air defense systems during Operation Sindoor. While official confirmation took time, multiple sources indicated that the F-16 was taken down, signifying a major blow to Pakistan’s air power and a testament to the effectiveness of India’s defensive capabilities.

India’s Air Defense Systems: A Sudarshan Chakra in Action

The success of Operation Sindoor was underpinned by the stellar performance of India’s integrated air defense systems. Key among these were the indigenous Akashteer and Akash missile systems, along with the advanced Russian-made S-400 Triumf, known as “Sudarshan Chakra” in Indian service.

Akashteer, an indigenous Air Defence Control & Reporting System, played a crucial role in providing a unified real-time air picture, integrating data from various sensors of the Army and Air Force. This system enhanced command and control, enabling faster response times and decentralized engagement authority. During Operation Sindoor, Akashteer proved its mettle by effectively coordinating the deployment of air defense assets and providing crucial situational awareness.

The Akash Missile System, another indigenous mobile surface-to-air missile system, demonstrated exceptional performance in neutralizing aerial threats within its range. Capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously, the Akash system played a vital role in intercepting drones and missiles launched by Pakistan.

The S-400 Triumf, a long-range surface-to-air missile system, lived up to its reputation as a formidable air defense platform. With its ability to track and engage a wide range of aerial targets, including fighter jets, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, at significant distances, the S-400 proved instrumental in intercepting numerous Pakistani drones and missiles during Operation Sindoor. Its first combat deployment in Indian service showcased its effectiveness and solidified its position as a cornerstone of India’s air defense strategy.

DGMO Pakistan Begs for Peace: A Nation Crippled

Faced with the overwhelming might of the Indian retaliation and the extensive damage inflicted on its air force and military infrastructure, Pakistan was compelled to seek an immediate cessation of hostilities. On May 10, 2025, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan reportedly contacted his Indian counterpart, urgently requesting a ceasefire. Sources suggest that the Pakistani DGMO agreed to all conditions laid out by India to halt the devastating attacks, signaling a clear acknowledgment of India’s dominance in the engagement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation, stated that Pakistan was “begging for peace” after suffering heavy losses, highlighting the effectiveness of India’s strategic air campaign.

Conclusion: India’s Unmatched Air Power and Resolve

Operation Sindoor stands as a resounding testament to India’s military strength, technological prowess, and unwavering resolve in the face of cross-border terrorism. The operation not only avenged the brutal attack in Pahalgam but also delivered a decisive blow to Pakistan’s air power, exposing the limitations of its foreign-supplied defense systems. The stellar performance of India’s indigenous air defense systems, particularly Akashteer and Akash, along with the strategic deployment of the S-400, showcased India’s self-reliance and its capability to safeguard its skies. The fact that the DGMO of Pakistan was compelled to plead for peace underscores the comprehensive success of Operation Sindoor, marking a new era in India’s approach to national security and counter-terrorism. The operation served as a clear message to Pakistan and the world that India possesses the will and the capability to respond decisively to any act of terror, ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.

Table 1: Summary of Claimed Damage to Pakistani Air Assets during Operation Sindoor:

Table 2: Capabilities of Key Indian Air Defense Systems: