Responding to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terrorist sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in an operation described as “focused, calibrated, and non-escalatory”.
What is the significance of the attack? How could Pakistan respond? And what should India be prepared for?
Newslaundry spoke to four senior defence experts to understand.
‘A step above anything done so far’
Lt General (Retd) Sanjeev Kanal, a defence expert and former Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Artillery and Commandant of the Officers Training Academy, said the operation “marks a step above anything that has been done until now”. “Such an operation has never been carried out before. We haven’t just struck terrorist camps – we have hit the very core where terrorists are indoctrinated and created by leaders of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.”
Lt General (Retd) Kanal said Pakistan’s response will also depend on major global powers. “India will certainly be engaging in diplomatic efforts to press Pakistan to accept this action as a stern warning – a rap on the knuckles, so to speak.”
He also pointed to “a school of thought” that suggests the Pahalgam attack may have been deliberately orchestrated under the watch of Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir – “as a way to divert attention from Pakistan’s domestic turmoil and to reassert the relevance of both his leadership and the military, which has been losing credibility in the country”. “If this theory holds true, then we must be prepared for an irrational and possibly escalatory response from Pakistan.”
‘Need to exercise restraint considering misinformation’
Major General Ranjan Mahajan, a defence and strategic expert and former commander of the Machil sector as well as Commandant of the 9 Rashtriya Rifles, said India has “delivered the right kind of punishment to those responsible” for the Pahalgam attack but “at this stage, it’s difficult to predict how far things might escalate”.
“If there are rational actors on the other side who understand the justification behind our actions, they may choose not to respond aggressively. That said, to save face before their domestic audience, they might still take some symbolic action.”
Major General Mahajan warned against propaganda and misinformation. “We must remember that information warfare is very much in play. Pakistan is circulating a great deal of misinformation, including fake news on social media. It’s crucial that people exercise restraint and avoid forwarding unverified content. Each of us has a responsibility to maintain clarity and avoid contributing to panic or confusion.”
‘Deepest operation since 1971’
Colonel Ajay Singh, an author and defence analyst, described Operation Sindoor as “historic”. “This is the deepest and most extensive operation India has undertaken since 1971. It was far more intense than previous strikes, simultaneously targeting nine locations...That said, India must now brace for a likely Pakistani response – even if only a symbolic one.”
On the possibility of international pressure and along the border, Colonel Singh said, “Most nations, barring Turkey and China, have expressed support for India’s right to defend itself. Pakistan, however, has termed this an ‘act of war’. The Line of Control has already become active…The Pakistani military will be under pressure to respond, at least symbolically.”
He said the strikes were carried out “using surface-to-surface SCALP missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and precision-guided smart bombs – all launched from within Indian territory. Unlike the Balakot strikes, Indian aircraft did not enter Pakistani airspace, minimising risk to pilots and assets.” “The most significant hits were on Markaz Taiba in Muridke – the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, run by Hafiz Saeed – and Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, the base of Jaish-e-Mohammed, led by Masood Azhar.”
‘This is not the India of 1962’
Lt General DB Shekatkar (Retd), a veteran of the 1965, 1971, and Kargil wars, said the country today is not what it was in 1962.
“During the Kargil war, we were far too kind to Pakistan. Our political leadership at the time did not permit us to cross the Line of Control. Otherwise, PoK wouldn’t even exist today…India today is not the India of 1962 or even the Kargil era. Our armed forces are now fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and that’s why our pilots were able to execute this mission using highly advanced precision-guided systems.”
Lt Gen (Retd) Shekatkar said he foresees “Pakistan eventually breaking into four parts – Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. There’s a philosophy in strategic governance that says, ‘If you want peace, deprive your adversary of the coast.’ And if Sindh and Balochistan separate, Pakistan will be left landlocked and without a coastline. That would fundamentally change the power dynamics in the region.”
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