Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor has marked a watershed moment in India’s fight against terrorism. Operation Sindoor is a response by India against the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that occurred in April 2025. This marks a new and more aggressive approach of India towards terrorism. This operation by the Indian Armed Forces clearly shows a shift in stance of India, from a defensive stance, toward a more proactive anti-defensive approach, which can be seen as an approach of actively working to eliminate terrorism, rather than waiting for any magic to happen.
Details of Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor is a co-ordinated strike operation by the Army, Navy and Air Force that was launched on 7th May, 2025 as a response for the Pahalgam Terror Attack, of which responsibility was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy for Lashkar-e-Taiba. It was targeted at 9 terrorist infrastructural sites in Pakistan Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and also a total of 11 Pakistan air bases were destroyed. The sites and facilities were those that were specifically linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
For the air strikes, the Indian Air Force used advance systems like SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, and loitering munitions. After the successful completion of Operation Sindoor, Shri Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister) termed it as the biggest and the clearest action taken by India against terrorism.
India’s Past Approach to Terrorism
Terrorist attacks have been repeatedly conducted in India for past many years, the biggest among them being the 2001 Parliament attacks and the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, in 2008. To counter terrorism, India has always looked and prioritised diplomacy over anything. In other words, for the past many years, India has opted for more of a defensive strategy for countering terrorism. This defensive strategy was completely based upon diplomatic measures like raising the issue of terrorism in international forums.
This whole strategy was surrounded around the idea to make the world believe and to show them that India is a peace-loving country. Apart from diplomacy, India also heavily invested on internal security like improving border security, gathering intelligence, etc. But over the course of time with various severe and deadly terror attacks in India, it can clearly be seen that there was a need of change in this strategy.
A Shift in Approach to Counter Terrorism
With Operation Sindoor, it can be understood the India has made a change in its approach toward terrorism. From a defensive approach, a more aggressive and proactive approach is being taken by the Government. With a strategic and co-ordinated operation between all the 3 branches of Indian Armed Forces, the importance of co-ordination can be seen.
It is no longer only about protecting the borders, rather now it is about hunting the terror threats to their roots, and eliminating them from their core itself. This operation sends a clear message that India will not wait for any future attack to respond, rather would prevent any future attacks through co-ordinated efforts.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be understood and seen that how much Operation Sindoor is important for India. It shows that India has entered into a new era in its fight against terrorism. Rather than reacting, India is now taking proactive steps to counter terrorism, and eliminating its roots from India. With it, India is now sending clear message to the world and terror groups — that India will now act first, fast and fearlessly.
