Operation Sindoor was ‘Focused, Measured, and Non-Escalatory’ : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

  Operation Sindoor was 

‘Focused, Measured, and Non-Escalatory’ 

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

Hans India (May 12 and 13, 2025)

{When the demand for ‘Separate Nation for Muslims’ gained momentum during freedom struggle, British Authorities conceded to Pakistan. Since its formation, Pakistan indulged in attacks on India and unable to win even a single war, shifted to ghastly terror incidents like the Pahalgam attack, killing innocent civilians} – Editor Synoptic Note 

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi constantly monitored, the ground situation on May 7, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces launched the Operation Sindoor, Post-Midnight, by hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and in PoJK from where terrorist attacks against India were planned and directed. Shortly afterward, Ministry of Defense in a statement, disclosed the news and confirmed the strikes. Before Launch Indian Army posted a message that, ‘Ready to Strike, Trained to Win.’ Minutes later, ADGPI of the Indian Army tweeted: 'Justice is served-Jai Hind!’ 

Hours Later, two distinguished female officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the first Woman to command an Indian Army Contingent and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, an exemplary officer, joined by Foreign Secretary, a Kashmiri Pandit and Veteran Diplomat Vikram Misri, addressed media with poise and authority. They revealed that, ‘Targets chosen by the Indian Armed Forces were based on strong intelligence inputs and their involvement in terror activities. No military infrastructure of Pakistan was struck during the operation. Probe into the Pahalgam terror attack has clearly established Pakistan links.’ 

Misri described the Operation as ‘Focused, Measured, and Non-Escalatory.’ Next day in an evidence-based discloser, Misri established the links of Pakistan with Terrorist Groups including those who claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. 

Earlier, nine days ago, PM Modi had a meeting with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on April 29, 2025. Saying that, the Armed Forces have his full confidence and ‘Complete Operational Freedom’ to decide on the ‘Mode, Targets, and Timing’ to accomplish the ‘National Resolve to deal a Crushing Blow to Terrorism’ Modi gave them ‘Free Hand’ to respond to April 22, 2025 Pahalgam Terror Attack that left 26 people dead. 

After the successful launch, Prime Minister stressed the need for ‘Continued Alertness, Institutional Synergy, and Clear Communication Mechanisms, as the nation navigated a sensitive period.’ The All-Party Meeting unanimously lauded Operation Sindoor and reiterated support to the Government. 

The history of Indo-Pak wars is a ‘Saga of India’s Resolute Triumphs;’ success after success, victory after victory, proving time and again that nothing succeeds like success. In 1965, under Lal Bahadur Shastri, India responded with valor and strategic brilliance, repelling Pakistan’s aggression, and imprinting ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ into the national conscience. 

In 1971, Indira Gandhi led India to a historic and humanitarian triumph, breaking the back of Pakistan’s oppressive regime in the East and birthing an independent Bangladesh, with support from USSR. In 1999, during the Kargil War, India stood firm, evicting infiltrators from its territory. 

As Operation Sindoor inflicted a crushing and irreversible defeat for ‘Pakistan encouraged Terrorists,’ India stands at a point of no return. This is not just another operation towards an eventual victory; it is the finality of decades of provocation and hostility. The world watches and responds with growing unity against terrorism. Russia stands firmly beside India, as in the past, reinforcing India’s strategic depth and moral high ground. 

A new era of ‘Security, Sovereignty, and Unwavering National Resolve’ steered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commenced.

When the demand for ‘Separate Nation for Muslims’ gained momentum during freedom struggle, British Authorities conceded to Pakistan. Since its formation, Pakistan indulged in attacks on India and unable to win even a single war, shifted to ghastly terror incidents like the Pahalgam attack, killing innocent civilians. 

Earlier Uri, Nagrota, and Pampore in 2016, Sunjuwan in 2018, Pulwama in 2019 etc. saw CRPF men, soldiers, and civilians killed. India hit back to these Pakistan-sponsored attacks and terror incidents with notable military and diplomatic retaliations.

After the Uri attack, India launched ‘Surgical Strikes’ deep inside Pakistan, which was a bold move that demonstrated India’s willingness to take preemptive action against terror operations, signaling a departure from its previous doctrine of restraint. Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes deep inside Pakistan, targeting a Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Balakot, consequent to horrific suicide bombing in Pulwama, which became a turning point in Indo-Pakistani relations. India also retorted with targeted military actions along the LoC in response to multiple terror attacks, including those at Nagrota, Pampore, and Sunjuwan.

Pulwama attack resulted in India taking economic and diplomatic actions to isolate Pakistan on the global stage. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, prior to launching ‘Operation Sindoor’ India took significant stern measures against Pakistan, including cancellation of Pakistani Visas, revoking SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, reducing Diplomatic Staff, expelling Pakistani Military Advisors in India etc. The ‘Indus Waters Treaty’ was suspended. The Attari-Wagah border was shut down. Taken together, from surgical strikes and airstrikes to diplomatic pressure, these actions reflect a broader shift in India’s approach to countering terrorism. India has adopted a multifaceted strategy that ‘Integrates Military, Economic, and Diplomatic Tools.’ 

Among Indo-Pak conflicts, the birth of Bangladesh stands out as a unique and decisive outcome. When President Yahya Khan rejected to hand over power to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Awami League, after December 1970 general elections, despite securing 167 of 169 seats in East Pakistan, geographically distant from West Pakistan, there was revolt.  Yahya Khan resorted to military crackdown on March 25, 1971. Ten million refugees fled to India, causing huge economic and social burden. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s diplomatic foreign tour for support was in vain. She extended discreet helping hand, to the ‘Mukti Bahini’ (Bangladeshi Guerrilla Forces). 

On August 9, 1971, India and the Soviet Union signed a 20-Year Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation, to ensure Soviet Union support to India. On December 3, 1971, Pakistan launched preemptive airstrikes on Indian airbases, instigating and provoking India to officially enter the war. Indian Forces led by ‘General Sam Manekshaw’ retaliated with full-scale military operations and captured key territories in East Pakistan. Media then reported that, when Indira Gandhi decided to intervene militarily, General Sam Manekshaw, guaranteed victory, if she would allow him to handle the conflict on his own terms, for which Indira Gandhi agreed. 

When the war started officially on December 3, 1971, ‘General Sam Manekshaw’ formulated his meticulous strategy, which was to be executed by Lt General Jagjit Singh Aurora. Indian Navy and Air Force initiated full-scale operations on both the eastern and western fronts. As the war progressed, Manekshaw addressed the Pakistani Troops over Radio Broadcast on December 9, 11 and 15, assuring them of honorable treatment by the Indian Troops, if they surrender. 

Pakistani commanders Major General Rao Farman Ali and Lt General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi were convinced with this offer. Pakistan President Yahya Khan decided to end the war to avoid further casualties. 

The decision to surrender was conveyed to Manekshaw, who responded positively. The condition was that, Pakistani Troops should surrender to their Indian Counterparts, and fixed a deadline, which was extended at Niazi's request. On December 16, 1971, under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s charismatic leadership and the valor of the Indian Armed Forces, Pakistan’s Lt General AAK Niazi signed the ‘Instrument of Surrender’ to the joint forces of India and the Mukti Bahini in Dhaka. Bangladesh was born. It was a turning point in South Asian geopolitics. Pakistan was geographically divided. 

Now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s even doubly more charismatic leadership, the Armed Forces are again at the forefront during Operation Sindoor. Will it eventually lead to birth of Baluchistan? History repeats in its own way. With deepening unrest and sharpening ethnic divides across Pakistan, ‘International Relations Experts’ foresee a similar scenario, as a strategic analogy, of possible fragmentation from within Pakistan. If it was Bangladesh then, now it could be Baluchistan. A powerful parallel in South Asian history, between the 1971 war under Indira Gandhi and the present 2025 strategic context under Narendra Modi, offers a compelling perspective.

Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are observing ceasefire, but not without occasional, but deliberate violations by Pakistan. Let us hope wisdom prevails on Pakistan. 

Jai Hind. Jai Bharath.