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Operation Sindoor - The doctrine change of Indian army
[An analysis of the operations’ genesis and its effect]
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| Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi with army and BSF personnel during his visit to Longewala, May 19, 2025 |
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As per description given by Indian IAF Chief - the number of hardkills made by India during Operation Sindoor  [Here is the link to the news - https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/more-or-less-known-since-may-austrian-analyst-on-iafs-s-400-defence-system-that-shot-down-pak-aircrafts-in-operation-sindoor/] The build-up – |
Pakistan since its inception
has been needling India needlessly that had resulted in three wars, all of
which it had lost. Thereafter, as
Pakistan could not succeed, it started indirect proxy attacks through its’
terrorist network comprising of Laskar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad etc. duly
backed by Pakistan’s ISI. In this
context, some of the major terrorist activities carried out by Pakistan during
the 21st Century are the Car-bomb blast in front of Jammu &
Kashmir Assembly on 1st October, 2001 that killed 27 people, which
was followed by the devastating Parliament attack carried out on 13th
December, 2001 wherein about 14 people lost their lives, there was no palpable
response from the Indian side, probably because of the just concluded Kargil
conflict of 1999. The devastating Mumbai
terror attack was carried out on 26th November, 2008 where about 166
people lost their lives and subsequent Mumbai serial blasts on 13th
July, 2011 wherein about 26 people lost their lives [Details may be perused here
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7479386/
]. After the change in Government in the
centre in 2014, the perception about thwarting terrorist activities and change
in military doctrine started evolving.
The first major terrorist activity that took place after 2014 was the January 2016 attack, the four-day attack on Indian air base in Pathankot left seven Indian soldiers martyred and six militants dead, the Garud Commandos of IAF played a pivotal role in eliminating the terrorists . This was followed by the 18 September 2016 attack: wherein an army base in Uri in Kashmir was attacked by fidayeen (suicide attack) terrorists that killed 19 soldiers. As a response this attack, for the first time the changed Indian doctrine was displayed, wherein a ‘Surgical strike’ was launched across the Pakistan LOC on 28th - 29th September 2016 [In case one would like to refresh their memories about this even here is a link to an article appearing in the press - https://sundayguardianlive.com/news/2016-surgical-strikes-marked-a-departure-from-strategic-restraint-to-responsible-retaliation-152039/ ].
Build up to launching of Operation Sindoor
The build up to the finale started after Pakistani establishment called it a ‘false flag’, as per of policy of denial of any terrorist activity from its soil. But this time around no one was ready to buy its narrative and the first paradigm shift in Indian policy towards proxy war was noticed with India keeping in abeyance of ‘Indus River treaty’ on 23rd April, 2025 alongwith removal of certain Pakistani diplomatic staff from India by declaring them persona non-grata. Simultaneously, the Attari-Wagah border was also sealed and any movement stopped and SAARC Visa suspended for Pakistan. In response, Pakistan on 25th April, 2025 initiated the violation of the cease-fire agreement by firing artillery and small arms across the Line of Control (hereinafter referred to as LOC). Thereafter, from 26th April, 2025 onwards there were repeated violations of the cease fire agreement by Pakistan and their political leaders and senior military establishment personnel started issuing threats of nuclear reprisal, if Indus water treaty was not restored and so on went the rant of Pakistanis. Because of the false narratives being run by the Pakistani social media handlers, India banned their Youtube channels and other social media platforms in India on 6th May, 2025.
On the ensuing night
of 6th & 7th May, 2025, after having made
detailed assessment via ground intelligence and Satellite based intelligence,
India launched its missiles and smart bombs etc. that destroyed 9 (Nine)
terrorist bases in Pakistan, which was in retaliation of the gruesome Pahalgam
attack on innocent Hindu civilians by Pakistan government backed terrorist
organizations. The
terror camps hit by India were - Bahawalpur, Muridke,
Gulpur, Bhimber,
Chak
Amru, Bagh, Kotli, Sialkot
and Muzaffarabad. India did not
hit any other civilian or military installations of Pakistan and the
information was also conveyed to Pakistan through diplomatic channels. However, in retaliation Pakistan shelled the
civilian areas situated along the border/LOC that resulted in death of 12
civilians on Indian side, but India did not retaliate to avoid unnecessary
escalation, as it had conveyed the message loud and clear as envisaged by Prime
Minister Narendra D. Modi, wherein he had stated that any terrorist act
orchestrated by Pakistan based terrorist would henceforth be seen as an ‘act of
war’ by India. The terror camp run by
the deranged terrorist Massod Azar was hit that resulted in deaths of many of
his near and dear ones and their last rites were performed in presence of
Pakistani military and Police officers in proper attire thereby lending
credence to the fact that the terrorists involved in the proxy war with India
had the direct backing of the Pakistani establishment.
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| Terrorist camps hit by India on night of 6-7 May, 2025 |
Satellite
Images Show Damaged Terror Camps in Pakistan | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G
– here
is the link to the news - https://youtu.be/c15A7eoD_Mo?si=bDIkf32YB1SuSxnr]
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| Chinese made PL-15 [Air to Air missile] recoverd almost intact in India |
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| Chinese made Surface to Air defense system HQ9 obliterated by Indian forces in Lahore |
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| Pakistan military bases hit by India on 9-10th May, 2025 |
In the ensuing days, the
Pakistani politicians and its military brass started spreading fake narrative
of having won the war and thanked the foreign help received from the United
Kingdom, Turkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and China and also conferred the title of
‘Field Marshall’ upon their Army Commander Asif Munir, who actually should have
been called as the ‘Failed Marshall’ [Pun intended]. Despite the claims made by Pakistan, they
could not provide a single proof of having hit any Indian Army targets inside
India, whereas there are umpteen number of such satellite images available that
show the damage caused to Pakistani bases during operation Sindoor. Here are the details of damages caused to
Pakistan Armed forces locations -
Murid
Air Base, Sialkot - This
base is part of the Northern Air Command and is located in the Chakwal area. It
lacks any permanent squadrons and has a 9,000-foot asphalt runway. However,
because of its closeness to India, it is strategically significant and can
accommodate both fighter jets and UAV operations. Its ability to handle drones
has improved due to recent infrastructure improvements. It houses the
UCAV and UAV fleet of the PAF, including Turkiye-made Bayraktar TB2s and
Shahpar-I. It also has facilitates for Pilot training and air
surveillance.
Noor
Khan Air Base, Chaklala - Formerly RAF Station Chaklala, this base has
historical significance dating back to WWII. It currently operates as a
transport base and hosts the No. 10 MRTT Squadron with Il-78 aerial refueling
tankers. It also has a history of cooperation with the U.S. military during the
Afghanistan war and disaster relief operations.
During Operation Sindoor Indian forces destroyed one F-16 and a C-130
damaged in a precision strike
Masroor
Airbase, Karachi - The
largest airbase in Pakistan and one of the largest in Asia by area, PAF Base
Masroor houses the No. 32 Tactical Attack Wing. It operates a wide range of
aircraft including JF-17s, Mirage variants, and AEW&C systems. This base is
vital for defending Pakistan's southern and coastal regions.
Rahim
Yar Khan, Bhawalpur, Punjab - The damage to the Rahim Yar Khan airbase
includes a massive crater in the middle of the runway, making the airbase
nearly unusable for Pakistan. The base, which also houses an airport, was hit
when operations were off at the airport, mitigating the risk to civilian flights.
Sukkur, Bholari
Sindh - Located
in Jamshoro district, this is one of the newest operational bases. It houses
the 19 Squadron (OCU) and operates F-16A/B Block 15 ADF aircraft under Southern
Air Command.
Shabaz
Air Base, Jacobabad, Sindh - Hosting the No. 5 and No. 11 Squadrons
(both operating F-16s), this base also facilitates Lockheed Martin maintenance
teams. It falls under Southern Air Command and includes the No. 39 Tactical
Wing and SAR units equipped with AW139 helicopters.
Bloari
Air Base, Karachi - The
Bholari airbase in Sindh province, located less than 100 miles from the port
city of Karachi, was one of nearly a dozen air force targets struck by India
during Operation Sindoor. Commissioned in December 2017, it was regarded as one
of Pakistan’s most advanced main operational bases. It is home to the 19
Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), operating F-16A/B Block 15
ADF aircraft. The strike during operation Sindoor destroyed an F-16 parked
inside a hangar, killing five PAF personnel, including a Squadron Leader and
the Chief Technician. The AWACS Erieye at the same base was severely damaged
and later repaired with urgent support from US Air Force engineers.
Chunian
- Chinese – YLC-8E – This advanced 3D surveillance system was transferred
from China's military inventory to Pakistan in 2023 and is a flagship of
Chinese stealth detection technology, designed to detect stealth aircraft like
the F-22 and F-35. The destruction of the YLC-8E is seen as a significant blow
to Pakistan's air defense capabilities and a dent in the reputation of the
Chinese military technology it represents.
Radar
site in Pasrur - American ANTPS Radar/TPS-77 – In 2005, the United States awarded a contract for six
TPS-77 units to Lockheed Martin, which were delivered to Pakistan to provide
continuous air surveillance. The TPS-77 radar is capable of tracking
aircraft up to 450 kilometers away and 30 Kms. in height is designed for
long-range surveillance and early.
[Operation Sindoor: How Indian Air Force
grounded Pakistan’s Air Power – here is the link to the news with satellite
photographs attached - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/operation-sindoor-how-iaf-grounded-pakistans-air-power/articleshow/121094154.cms]
[Operation Sindoor wrecked Pakistani airbases,
destroyed F-16s and AWACS; US stepped in for urgent repairs – here is the link
to the news with satellite photographs - https://www.moneycontrol.com/world/operation-sindoor-wrecked-pakistani-airbases-destroyed-f-16s-and-awacs-us-stepped-in-for-urgent-repairs-article-13599652.html]
[Pakistan’s F-16, J-17 fighter jets destroyed in Operation Sindoor, says IAF chief - https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india-pakistan-news/india-downed-five-f-16-jf-17-pakistani-jets-in-may-conflict-says-iaf-chief/ - 3rd October, 2025]
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Chinese released image of Adampur base - duly fact checked and debunked by military analyst Mr.Damien Symon.png) Claim being made by Pakistani media handlers regarding taking down of Indian S-400 System debunked by Mr.Damien Symon |
Despite such overwhelming proof
available worldwide on social media as well as specific military related
websites, the Pakistanis continue to drum their win wherever they get a chance
to do so. Be it in political arena or
any other arena like cricket (remember Harris Rouf antics), Pakistan continues
with its false narrative. However, being
over smart sometimes paves the way for getting exposed and similarly Pakistan
during its Independence day celebrations awarded valour related medals to its
military personnel, both in person as well as posthumously. For those interested in knowing about the
medals that Pakistan grants to its military personnel for valour are as follows
- 1
Nishan-e-Haider (Order of the Lion); 2.Hilal-e-Jurat (Crescent pf Courage);
3.Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage); 4.Tamga-e-Jurat (Medal of Courage); and 5.
Imtiazi Sanad (Mentioned in Despatches).
However, by given such posthumous medals for its so called retaliation
to Operation Sindoor, it awarded such medals for commendable acts during the so
called Operation: Buryan ul Marsoos. But what it acknowledged by doing so,
especially to those killed in the operations, is that it accepted loss of
military life and its failed attempt, for example, it awarded Sitara-e-Jurat to
four of its pilots, who flew suicide mission in an attempt to hit S-400 units,
but as the range of their missiles were only 250 Kms., whereas, the S-400 has a
range of 400 Kms. and it had been effectively displayed by hitting a Pakistani
AWACS at a distance of 314-319 Kms., thus creating a world record for such a
kill. So the Pakistani pilots in the
Chinese made planes flew into definitive death in a formation of four aircraft,
with two leading ones meant to be the target and the other two flying in from
behind would target the S-400 system, sadly all four targets were hit resulting
in casualty of all four Pakistani pilots that has been now indirectly been accepted
by Pakistan. On other hand despite
rhetoric’s and photo shopped images uploaded by Pakistani media managers and
also their Chinese counterparts, all of their narratives fell flat on the face,
after some fact checking and I am enclosing a few such photographs duly
countered by a foreign military expert.
[Pakistani
Gallantry Awards List Reveals 138 Of Its Soldiers Died In Operation Sindoor - https://odishabytes.com/pakistani-gallantry-awards-list-reveals-138-of-its-soldiers-died-in-operation-sindoor/]
© S Roy Biswas
N.B – All the photographs have been sourced from
the internet.
