CS Krishnamurthy
In the quiet hours before dawn on May 7, India silently shifted gears in its approach to national security. At exactly 1:05 am, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor — a swift, focused counter-terrorism strike that sent a powerful signal beyond our borders.
This wasn’t just another military operation. It was a carefully measured response to the Pahalgam massacre on April 22, where 26 innocent lives — mostly tourists — were lost in a brutal, senseless attack. That tragedy wasn’t just another incident in the long history of cross-border terrorism; it was a moment that demanded a clear answer. Operation Sindoor was India’s way of drawing a red line — one that can’t be crossed without consequence.
In just 25 minutes, nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were targeted with 24 precision missiles. These weren’t random spots — they were established hideouts for groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Among the sites hit was the JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur, reportedly killing key associates of Masood Azhar. For India, this marked a shift — not just hitting back at terrorists near the border but striking deeper, at the heart of their planning and operations.
What stood out in this operation was not just the boldness but the restraint. There was no targeting of civilian areas or military bases. As Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri put it, the strikes were “responsible, proportionate, and preventive.” The goal wasn’t provocation — it was prevention.
Unlike earlier missions such as the 2016 surgical strikes or the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, Operation Sindoor showed how much India’s approach has evolved. This was not just about speed, but about precision, planning, and patience. In a world where news leaks in seconds, pulling off a high-stakes mission in total secrecy was no small feat. One senior military official summed it up well: “It wasn’t a knee-jerk response — it was a message, sent with clarity and control.”
The government, despite intense pressure from the media and public for immediate retaliation after Pahalgam, chose not to act in haste. It let the armed forces decide the timing and scale. That decision to wait — and strike when ready — showed maturity and confidence.
Pakistan’s reaction was predictable. It began with denial, then offered vague investigations, and soon switched to threats. But beneath the bluster, the panic was visible — especially when their stock market tumbled even as India’s remained stable. That contrast reflects a deeper shift — a more secure, composed India, standing firm, both militarily and economically.
Critics may debate the risks of deep strikes, but history offers some perspective. From the 1980s onwards, Pakistan’s deep state has repeatedly backed terror groups, often under the guise of religious causes. Time and again, India’s peace overtures were met with betrayal — be it the aftermath of the Lahore Bus Diplomacy or the Kargil incursion. Operation Sindoor shows that while India still values peace, it won’t turn a blind eye to violence.
The real message from this operation is simple: India is willing to act, not out of anger, but out of conviction. It won’t escalate unnecessarily, but it will not ignore threats either. Terrorism — no matter who funds or shelters it — will be confronted.
As an Indian, I see this not as a moment of celebration but of clarity. We didn’t act out of rage, but with resolve. Operation Sindoor is a reminder that peace is not always passive — sometimes, it must be protected with precision.
Let the world take note. India’s silence is thoughtful. But when it speaks, it speaks with strength.