Operation Sindoor: IAF scales new heights, reaffirms India’s air superiority

The Director Generals of Military Operations of the three Indian armed forces have briefed the country and exposed Pakistan to the world with full documentary evidence. The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air strikes against a large number of military targets deep into Pakistan forced the security establishment in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to seek immediate ceasefire.

India and Pakistan on Saturday reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect. The IAF on Sunday said it has successfully executed its assigned tasks with precision and professionalism and in line with national objectives during Operation Sindoor. The operations were conducted in a “deliberate and discreet manner, aligned with national objectives”.

In the early hours of May 7, India had launched “precision strikes” on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoJK following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent tourists. The strikes killed more than 100 terrorists and at least 10 family members of JeM chief Masood Azhar and four of his close aides. The strikes hit at the heart of Pakistani terror. India had identified many more terror targets, but those perhaps for a later date.

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The opening terror strikes

ndia’s security establishment decided that to hit targets deep in Pakistan, IAF was the best instrument. The opening air strikes on nine targets on May 7, 2025, hit the camps and infrastructure of terrorist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The targets included Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur, JeM’s main centre for training and indoctrination, and operational headquarters. The facility includes the residences of JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar, and other family members. Markaz Taiba, Muridke, is the main training centre of LeT. It provides arms training and religious indoctrination for recruits from within and outside Pakistan. Sarjal/Tehra Kalan, Punjab, is JeM’s launching facility and used for tunnel construction, drone operations, and smuggling of arms and narcotics.

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Mehmoona Joya Facility, Sialkot, belongs to Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala, Bhimber, is one of the important Markaz of LeT in PoJK. Markaz Abbas, Kotli, is a JeM facility led by Hafiz Abdul Shakoor. Maskar Raheel Shahid, Kotli, an HM facility capable of housing 150-200 militants. This camp specializes in arms training, sniping, BAT actions, and survival skills in hilly terrain. Shawai Nallah Camp, Muzaffarabad is a LeT camp, where the 26/11 attackers trained. And, finally, Markaz Syedna Bilal in Muzaffarabad which is JeM’s main centre in PoJK. The terrorist groups get military-grade weapons and communication equipment and training from the Pakistan Army.

The attacks were reportedly carried out by IAF aircraft using SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer glide bombs over a 23-minute duration. Reportedly, BrahMos cruise missiles as well as Indian Army’s Indo-Israeli SkyStriker loitering munitions were also used in the operation. Pakistan acknowledged that the strikes were conducted without Indian aircraft entering Pakistani airspace. The Indian government described the strikes as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”. No Pakistani military facilities or civilians were targeted. Pakistan admitted that over 31 had been killed.

Operation Bunyan al-Marsus and Indian response

Pakistan had already opened a barrage of small arms and artillery guns across LoC. India was responding. Bunyan al-Marsus in the Quran means “a wall constructed of molten lead”. The operation was officially named on May 10. Both sides claimed civilian loss of life. Pakistan responded by striking a number of cities throughout India using homemade, Chinese and Turkish drones and a variety of cruise missiles. Later, Pakistan began targeting many military installations including a large number of IAF airfields from Srinagar down to Bhuj and Nalya in Gujarat. There was no damage on the ground though 2-3 civilians got killed.

India has an integrated anti-drone systems grid designed by DRDO to “detect, deter, and destroy” adversary drones. The Pakistani missiles and drones were taken down by Indian military’s S-400, Akash, Pechora, L-70 and Shelka AD systems, and also by other systems with BSF. This was India’s first combat use of the S-400 missile system “Sudarshan Chakra”, and it proved most effective.

The IAF also launched a massive air strike reportedly using the Israeli Harop Loitering Munitions to neutralise the air defence systems near Lahore. It included the main radar and the Chinese HQ-9 SAMs. This conflict became the “first drone war” between the “nuclear-armed neighbours.” The performance of the Israeli-Indian drones was clearly noteworthy. There were claims of cyber-attacks. And also Pakistan reportedly launched a Fatah-II guided artillery rocket aimed at Delhi which was intercepted near Sirsa Air Force Station in Haryana.

India’s successful strikes on military targets

On May 10, India undertook counter-strikes deep into Pakistan, including military targets in Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, and three Air Force bases (Nur Khan, Rafiqi, and Murid). Multiple explosions were heard across Pakistan.

Targets included technical infrastructure, command and control centre, radar sites, and weapon storage areas at Murid, Chaklala (Rawalpindi), Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian in Punjab. Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation base, as well as strategic air bases at Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad, and Sargodha were hit. All were targeted using precision munitions. The Battle Damage assessment (BDA) was well photographed, and pictures presented to the world during the DG Air Ops briefing. The precision and success was more than evident.

Equipment-related comparisons

Before the embers of fire have extinguished, some interested analysts have already started giving medals or writing obituaries of military hardware fielded by the two sides. Most have done it without sufficient data available for professional analysis. There are claims and counter-claims about aircraft being shot by both sides. Even if true, it is not clear if they were shot by ground-based AD weapons or in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) engagements.

There are comparisons between the Chinese J-10CE and the French Rafale. China is already touting the PL-15 BVR missile’s success without any confirmation of any kill. Pakistan has not given any video evidence or even an image of the downed Indian fighters, nor of hitting any ground target.

There is a clear case about the success of the S-400 and other AD weapons. Also of drones and large loitering munitions. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) claims to have intercepted and destroyed 77 Israeli-made Harop drones, a number much more than actually fired. Will a three-day short skirmish give verdicts on major hardware? Similar comparisons have not taken place after three years of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Pakistan, a country in denial

Pakistan has been in denial since its formation in 1947. They refused to acknowledge the Pakistan military being part of incursions in Kashmir in 1947-48 and termed them as tribesmen. Pakistan, led by military dictator General Ayub Khan, attacked India in 1965. The country was disintegrated in 1971 under Gen Yahya Khan, and the army faced the humiliation of 93,000 prisoners of war. During the Kargil War of 1999, Pakistan refused to acknowledge the soldiers as their own and the Indian Army performed the last rites for Pakistani soldiers whose bodies Pakistan refused to accept. Pakistan refused its role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks till Kasab was caught.

Pakistan military dictators have not only formally ruled the nation for 34 years, but have exercised physical control for all the remaining years since independence. The Punjabis dominate the Army, and they not only loot the country in connivance with the politicians but also treat the Sindhs, Baloch, Pashtuns, Baltis and others as lower beings.

The Pakistan Army has had a direct finger-print in all terror incidents in India and elsewhere but has been in denial. They double-crossed the US in Afghanistan, and also by harbouring Osama bin Laden in a military cantonment for many years. Pakistan has underplayed or denied losses of its aircraft and other equipment in all the conflicts to avoid embarrassment to its Army.

Conclusion

Globally most nations supported India against terror, while cautioning restraint in military operations. Terror infrastructure can perhaps never be completely demolished but it was severely hit in these air-strikes. Many centres had been vacated in anticipation of such strikes. That in itself was a clear victory for India. A new normal has been set. India will continue to put pressure on Pakistan and repeat military strikes in future if required. Pakistan’s nuclear bluff has once again been called out. Meanwhile India needs to build its military capability much more to increase asymmetry. IAF’s fighter squadrons, AEW&C, Flight refuellers and Loitering munitions inventories must go up. Military industry capabilities and “aatmanirbharta” must go up further.

India’s non-kinetic actions related to the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), trade, border crossings, visas, medical facilities, etc, will continue to play. India must use its economic strength to its advantage. There is general consensus that pressure must continue to be maintained on Pakistan to not let the terror snake pop-up its head.

Operation Sindoor has showcased India’s ability to strike at will, with precision and depth. The IAF’s technological edge and freedom of use provided India with a decisive advantage.

The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.