Over 100 terrorists killed, Pak airbases damaged, global message: Why India’s Operation Sindoor is a resounding success

On May 7, India carried out precise and coordinated strikes on terror infrastructure, codenamed Operation Sindoor, in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In the days that followed, India and Pakistan reached the precipice of a full-blown war, as both sides engaged in a missile and drone war.

Over 100 hours into the escalating hostilities, on the evening of May 10, a ceasefire was announced after a badly bruised Pakistan reached out to India for cessation of violence.

Now, as the borders of India enjoyed its first calm night in days, there’s a question that everyone is asking — what did Operation Sindoor achieve? How successful was the Indian military?

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We analyse and get you the answers.

Significant damage to Pakistan

The operation began with India achieving its intended target; it hit nine terror training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s terror nursery in Muridke.

In targeting these terror bases, India decimated over 100 terrorists, including those involved in the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama terror attack in 2019. Even JeM founder Masood Azhar claimed that 10 members of his family had died in the military strikes.

As Director General of Military Operations Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said in a press briefing on May 11, “Those strikes across those nine terror hubs left more than 100 terrorists killed, including high value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed that were involved in the hijack of IC-814 and the Pulwama blast.”

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Air Marshal AK Bharti concurred, stating that Operation Sindoor had destroyed terror camps, achieving its objectives with precision. “Have we achieved our objectives of decimating the terrorist camps, and the answer is a thumping yes and the results are for the whole world to see.”

He further added that the operation was aimed at hitting designated targets with precision, “not to count the body bags”. “Whatever methods and whatever means we have chosen, it had the desired effects on the enemy targets. How many casualties? How many injuries? Our aim was not to inflict casualties, but in case there have been, it is for them to count. Our job is to hit the target, not to count the body bags,” he said.

The Indian government later said that it went for the “snake’s head and not foot soldiers” this time. As one government source told NDTV, “The message that has been sent is that no matter where you are in Pakistan, we will hit you. On this occasion, we have gone after the head of the snake and not foot soldiers.”

“It showed our approach of ‘ghar me ghus ke marenge (kill them within their home)’,” said the source.

Moreover, following Pakistan’s escalatory move of launching a swarm of drones and missiles, India retaliated, causing heavy damage to the neighbouring country. India successfully struck Pakistan “deep inside their heart”; the IAF struck Pakistani air bases, command centres, military infrastructure, and air defence systems across the entire Western Front in a coordinated and calibrated manner.

“The bases we struck include Chaklala, Rafiqui, and Rahim Yar Khan, sending a clear message that aggression will not be tolerated. This was followed by strikes at Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad,” said Air Marshal AK Bharti in Sunday’s press briefing.

Operation Sindoor also caused heavy damage to Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan airbase in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The sole runway at the airbase has been declared as non-operational for a week.

This was also echoed by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during a briefing after the ceasefire was announced. “There has been extensive damage to crucial Pakistani airbases like Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad and Bhulari. Also, loss of air defence weapons and radars made the defence of Pakistani airspace untenable. Across the LoC, extensive and precise damage to military infrastructure, command and control centres and logistics installations led to a complete breakdown of its defensive and offensive capabilities,” she added.

Air Marshal A K Bharti also confirmed that the Indian Air Force downed several high-tech Pakistani aircraft, potentially including F-16s or J-10Cs, while preventing them from entering Indian airspace.

India’s defence hegemony over Pakistan

Operation Sindoor also put on display India’s military prowess and exposed Pakistan’s fragile air defence. Indian Rafale jets equipped with Scalp missiles and Hammer bombs executed the mission without any reported losses, demonstrating technological and strategic superiority.

India also defended its own airspace with a robust and layered architecture. Furthermore, India successfully penetrated the Chinese-made systems fielded by Pakistan.

In yesterday’s press briefing, India also confirmed that it had shot down several high-tech Pakistani jets. “Their planes were prevented from entering inside our border… Definitely, we have downed a few planes… Definitely, there are losses on their side which we have inflicted,” Air Marshal AK Bharti said.

Previous reports have said that India shot down a Pakistani F-16 and possibly two JF-17 fighter jets, in addition to intercepting other projectiles and missiles. Pakistan’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was also reportedly downed by Indian forces. However, the official did not specify the types of aircraft destroyed.

When asked about the exact number of Pakistani aircraft shot down, Air Marshal Bharti said, “We would not like to hazard a guess out here”.

India’s red line and message to the world

Operation Sindoor has also signaled a doctrinal shift in India’s strategy, establishing that state-sponsored terrorism would now invite targeted, visible, and proportional retaliation. As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a statement said, “Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, but a symbol of India’s political, social and strategic willpower. Following the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that this New India will take effective action against terrorism on both sides of the border,” he said.

India also showed through Operation Sindoor that it would punish terrorism — anytime, anywhere. It showed that terrorists and their masterminds have no place to hide.

All in all, India’s Operation Sindoor achieved all three key objectives – military, political, and psychological, said government sources. They explained that through Operation Sindoor, India’s strike deep within Pakistani territory sent a clear message: “Ghus ke maarenge” – India has the ability to strike at will.

With inputs from agencies