Following an attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India launched Operation Sindoor. Lieutenant General Prateek Sharma, the Northern Command chief, provided details of India’s strategic victory over Pakistan during the operation. Indian forces responded to Pakistani ceasefire violations with over 30,000 artillery and mortar shells, along with more than 300,000 rounds of small arms fire between May 7-10. Lieutenant General Sharma highlighted that for every round fired by Pakistan, India retaliated with at least three to four rounds. He also accused Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, of directly instigating terrorists and the Pakistani military prior to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which triggered Operation Sindoor.
At a media conference, Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari, the Deputy Chief of the Indian Air Force, stated that fewer than 50 aerial weapons were used to compel Pakistan to seek peace and a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor. He emphasized the lesson learned: that the conflict could be ended with the use of under 50 weapons. He shared videos and satellite images to demonstrate the damage to terrorist and military infrastructure within Pakistan.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, and Mirage-2000 fighter jets to conduct precision strikes with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, as well as Crystal Maze-2, Rampage, and SCALP missiles. These attacks targeted Pakistan’s airfields and radar sites, some near nuclear installations and command and control structures.
Both officials emphasized that the political directive was clear: to conduct punitive strikes with minimal collateral damage, considering the potential for escalation, and to create a deterrent message within the Pakistani army. Armed forces were given full operational freedom for this.
Lieutenant-General Sharma added that the Pahalgam massacre occurred shortly after Munir’s provocative April 16 speech, where he described Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein, citing the two-nation theory. He stated that this was a direct provocation not only to terrorists but also to the Pakistani army.
The attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April resulted in the deaths of 26 people. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to retaliate, targeting nine terrorist locations within Pakistan. A ceasefire between the two countries was established on May 10.