How Operation Sindoor signals India’s shift towards theatre commands and IBG doctrine

On May 7, 2025, India launched a bold and a military operation as Operation Sindoor, aimed at destroying terrorist camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This powerful response came just two weeks after the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed, including 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen. The scale and cruelty of the Pahalgam attack shocked the nation and made it clear that a strong, direct response was needed.

“The barbarity displayed by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22 had shocked the entire country and the world. The merciless killing of innocent citizens in front of their family and their children on the basis of their religion was a very gruesome face of terror and cruelty,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address to the nation on 12 May 2025.

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Operation Sindoor was that response—a clear signal that India would no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism. The operation didn’t just eliminate key terrorist targets—it also marked a shift in India’s counter-terror strategy, showing that the country was now prepared to act with greater precision, speed, and coordination. This growing capability reflects planned structural reforms in the military, such as the creation of Integrated Theatre Commands and Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs). These changes, now in advanced stages of planning, aim to make India’s armed forces more effective in joint operations. Operation Sindoor, currently on pause, offered a glimpse of a response strategy that goes beyond retaliation—one rooted in long-term preparedness and a stronger, more integrated defence posture.

“Operation Sindoor has carved out a new benchmark in our fight against terrorism and has set up a new parameter and new normal,” Prime Minister Modi said.

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The trigger: April 22 Pahalgam attack

The immediate impetus for Operation Sindoor was the Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists opened fire on tourists killing 26 civilians. This incident triggered public outrage and a call for swift retribution. Probe and security agencies traced digital footprints of the terror attack to Pakistan. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-backed The Resistance Force claimed responsibility of the attack, and retracted later with strategic backing from Pakistan. Against this background, the Indian government authorised a robust and coordinated military response.

“This was also a disgusting attempt to break the harmony and unity of the country. For me personally this was very painful,” he said.

Operation Sindoor: Execution and objectives

Operation Sindoor was launched with well-defined objectives, aimed at significantly altering India’s counter-terror strategy. At its core, the operation focussed on neutralising terrorist infrastructure by dismantling active camps and training centres in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and deep within Pakistan. A key goal was to eliminate high-value targets, particularly the terrorist leaders who were behind planning and executing attacks on Indian soil.

“Operation Sindoor is not just a name but it’s a reflection of the feelings of millions of people of the country. Operation ‘Sindoor’ is our unwavering commitment to justice,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Beyond the immediate objective of neutralisation, Operation Sindoor also served as a powerful demonstration of India’s growing military precision and capability, showcasing the armed forces’ ability to conduct coordinated, multi-domain strikes with minimal collateral damage.

Additionally, the operation was designed to establish strategic deterrence, sending a clear and direct message to both state and non-state actors that India would no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism and would respond with swift, decisive force.

The operation’s execution reflected the seriousness of its intent. Indian forces successfully struck nine major terrorist camps, including those affiliated with LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen, causing significant damage to their logistics and training networks.

“More than 100 dreaded terrorists have been killed in these attacks by India,” the prime minister said.

One of the most notable achievements was the elimination of Yusuf Azhar, a top JeM commander and a relative of Masood Azhar, who was directly linked to the 1999 IC-814 hijacking.

The mission’s focus was on eliminating top terror leaders, particularly from JeM in Bahawalpur and LeT in Muridke. “Terrorist bases, like Bahawalpur and Muridke are universities of global terrorism,” he said.

In a move that shocked Pakistan, nine key locations were identified and targeted successfully. These locations included: Bahawalpur, Muridke, Gulpur, Bhimber, Chak Amru, Bagh, Kotli, Sialkot and Muzaffarabad. Each of these strikes was executed with precision marking a significant blow to the terrorist networks operating in the region.

In addition to these ground operations, the Indian military launched air and missile strikes on military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur and Sialkot areas of Pakistan, emphasising the depth and reach of the operation. This happened in response to Pakistan’s attempt to hit India military and civilian areas.

Integration with military reforms: Theatre commands and IBGs

While Operation Sindoor was largely reactive, its successful execution was made possible by India’s ongoing military reforms, particularly the advanced stage plans on the implementation of integrated theatre commands and IBGs (Integrated Battle Groups).

“After the surgical strike and air strike, now Operation Sindoor is India’s policy against terrorism,” Prime Minister Modi said.

These reforms have been central to India’s vision of modernising its armed forces and improving jointness among the army, navy and air force ensuring better coordination and operational efficiency.

A key element of these reforms is the restructuring of India’s military into theatre commands, which integrate the command structures across the three services. This model is designed to enhance inter-service coordination, streamline decision-making and improve resource utilisation. The proposed theatre commands include the Western Theatre Command, focussed on operations along the Pakistan border, the Northern Theatre Command, primarily tasked with addressing threats from China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Maritime Theatre Command (MTC), responsible for operations in the Indian Ocean Region and the Air Defence Command (ADC), which integrates air surveillance and response capabilities. Each theatre command is expected to be led by a three-star general, with resources pooled from all three services to enhance operational readiness and synergy.

Another significant innovation is the introduction of IBGs, which play a crucial role in India’s defence strategy. IBGs are brigade-sized units that are highly mobile, self-sufficient and tailored for swift offensive and defensive operations, particularly in response to border threats. These groups are designed to be highly flexible and capable of rapid deployment, with a size of 5,000 to 7,000 troops. IBGs incorporate a wide range of capabilities, including infantry, armour, artillery, engineers, logistics and air defence. They are capable of mobilising within 12-48 hours ensuring rapid response to emerging threats.

Additionally, the terrain-specific configurations of IBGs—whether for mountainous, desert or plains regions—allow them to be optimised for the specific challenges of different theatres. Although infantry and mechanised infantry were not deployed at a full-scale level, their deployment would have also reflected the ongoing military reforms.

The introduction of IBGs significantly enhances India’s ability to conduct short-duration, high-intensity conflicts aligning with the Cold Start doctrine for limited conventional warfare. This combination of theatre commands and IBGs marks a shift toward a more integrated and agile military capable of responding quickly and effectively to a wide range of threats.

Technological integration and precision

Operation Sindoor also highlighted India’s growing reliance on network-centric warfare, real-time intelligence and precision weapon systems.

“We will take strict action at every place from where the roots of terrorism emerge,” PM Modi said.

The operation showcased how advanced technologies have become central to modern military strategy, enabling more targeted and efficient strikes. Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities played a critical role with satellite surveillance, drone reconnaissance and signal intelligence all working in tandem to identify and track terrorist targets with precision.

In terms of offensive capability, India utilised advanced missile and air power with platforms like the Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, Rafales and BrahMos cruise missiles deployed to strike terrorist camps and military installations.

Moreover, electronic warfare and cyber operations were essential in disrupting enemy communications and disabling radar systems ensuring that the strikes could be carried out with minimal interference.

This approach represents a significant departure from traditional, large-scale military deployments reflecting a shift toward more surgical, technology-enabled operations. The integration of these advanced capabilities allowed India to execute the operation with greater precision and effectiveness minimising risks and maximicing impact.

Geopolitical and strategic implications

Operation Sindoor had far-reaching geopolitical ramifications affecting both domestic and international relations.

“India caused heavy damage to Pakistan in the first three days itself, which it had never imagined,” the prime minister said.

Domestically, the operation significantly bolstered public morale, demonstrating the Indian government’s firm resolve against terrorism and reinforcing its commitment to national security. This display of strength resonated with citizens, who viewed it as a strong response to cross-border terrorism.

On the international stage, while some nations called for restraint, many others, including US, France and Australia, expressed support for India’s right to self-defence, acknowledging the legitimacy of India’s actions in response to terrorism. In contrast, Pakistan found itself in a difficult position.

“Terror and talks cannot go together… Terror and trade cannot go together…. Water and blood cannot flow together,” PM Modi said in his address on Monday evening.

Hit hard by the operation, Pakistan’s military response was aggressive but was thwarted by India’s air defence systems. Pushed into a corner and not able to garner much international support, Pakistan sought truce.

From a China perspective, the operation held particular significance. With the growing ties between China and Pakistan, the operation sent a clear message to Beijing about India’s willingness to act decisively across multiple fronts to protect its interests. This served as a reminder of India’s military capability and its readiness to counter threats not just from its immediate neighbours but in broader regional dynamics as well.

Future outlook

Operation Sindoor may be remembered as a key moment in India’s military evolution. Its successful execution has not only validated the ongoing shift toward theatre commands and IBGs but is also likely to accelerate further reforms within India’s defence strategy.

“Today the world is witnessing that in 21st century warfare the time has come for Made in India defence equipment,” the prime minister said.

The operation demonstrated the effectiveness of these reforms and highlighted the need for continued modernisation of India’s armed forces to meet evolving security challenges.

Looking ahead, there are several key developments on the horizon. One of the most significant is the full operationalisation of theatre commands, which is expected to be completed by 2026, marking a major step in improving inter-service coordination and operational effectiveness.

Additionally, the expansion of IBGs will continue with more units being tailored for diverse terrains, including the strategic North East. To further enhance combat readiness, India is also increasing its focus on joint exercises with global partners like US, France and Japan, which will help improve interoperability and strengthen defence ties.

Moroever, there is a growing emphasis on indigenous defence production, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign systems and build long-term strategic autonomy for India’s defence industry.

Operation Sindoor: Not a mere military operation

Operation Sindoor was more than just a retaliatory strike. It was a clear display of India’s growing military strength and its evolving strategy.

“This is certainly not the era of war but this is also not the era of terrorism. Zero tolerance against terrorism is the guarantee for a better world,” Prime Minister Modi said.

The operation showed that India is capable of combining intelligence, technology and combat power across different areas to carry out a coordinated response. As India continues to reshape its military with theatre commands and more flexible BGs, the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor will help guide future military actions. With these changes, India is moving towards a defence strategy that focusses on precision, speed and strategic depth—all of which are crucial in today’s security challenges.