India Strikes, Targets Hit
- Commodore S.L. Deshmukh
- May 7
- 3 min read
India’s calibrated military response to the Pahalgam massacre signals resolve without reckless escalation.
The barbarous atrocity wherein Pakistan-sponsored terrorists slaughtered more than 25 persons, mostly innocent Hindu tourists, in Pahalgam on April 22 was a cowardly terrorist attack. No matter how much Pakistan may deny it, the ISI’s imprint was unmistakably present. The attack provoked a wave of collective anger and grief in India. Pakistan’s motive, which was to promote the selective killing of Hindus, was aimed at tarnishing India’s global image and send a fanatical message to provoke a strong reaction from India. It had hoped to create mayhem by exploiting Hindu-Muslim religious sentiments.
Such well-planned attacks, which call into question national security, cannot go unpunished. As emergency measures, India initiated several actions: suspending the Indus Water Treaty, cancelling visas of Pakistani nationals, reducing diplomatic relations, and closing the Attari-Wagah border.
But that was certainly not enough. Simultaneously, India launched diplomatic efforts to build international pressure on Pakistan by seeking to return it to the FATF grey list and to craft a befitting response that the global community would see as proportionate, yet effective. The objective was to act decisively without triggering a reckless response from Pakistan. This required proper planning at the level of government and armed forces, the deployment of appropriate platforms and weapons, and the protection of Indian citizens. The civil defence drill conducted nationwide was a step in the right direction.
A befitting reply came in the form of Operation Sindoor, executed on the intervening night of May 6 and 7. The operation appears to have been meticulously planned, involving all three services. The Indian Army maintained a close watch on the borders; the Navy ensured maritime vigilance; and the Indian Air Force delivered a deterrent strike on Pakistani soil. The goal was to inflict damage on terrorist infrastructure and hurt Pakistan’s morale. The Indian Air Force appears to have achieved its objectives.
The selection of platforms and weapons depends on the mission. For Operation Sindoor, the Dassault Rafale was ideal, equipped with Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, an advanced electronic warfare suite, and superior radar and communication systems. Rafale’s Thales RBE2 AESA radar and frontal stealth capability enabled pilots to operate with superior situational awareness and under high-pressure conditions.
India used a variety of high-precision, long-range weapons, including SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, and loitering munitions—giving it flexibility, accuracy, and the ability to strike selectively. The MBDA SCALP (or Storm Shadow) is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile designed for deep precision strikes. HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), developed by Safran Electronics & Defense, is an air-to-ground system designed for medium-range tactical missions against both stationary and mobile targets. Loitering munitions, often referred to as ‘kamikaze drones,’ provide surveillance, target identification and precision engagement.
Using these systems, India targeted nine locations within Pakistan, including a Jaish-e-Mohammed base in Bahawalpur and a Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke. These strikes specifically targeted key terror bases and training facilities - organisations long involved in attacks on Indian soil. By relying on advanced precision weaponry and real-time intelligence, the Army, Navy, and Air Force coordinated their efforts, carefully avoiding Pakistani military installations.
Reflecting on the action, the Indian Army declared: “Prhaaraay SnnihitaaH, Jyaay PrshikssitaaH – Ready to strike, trained to win.” It asserted that justice had been served.
In support of Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of External Affairs said it was essential to bring the perpetrators and planners of the April 22nd attack to justice. The MEA noted that, even 15 days after the attack, Pakistan had taken no verifiable action to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil or in areas under its control. Instead, it had resorted to denials and counter-allegations. Intelligence monitoring of Pakistan-based terror modules indicated that further attacks were imminent. India, therefore, had a compulsion to both deter and pre-empt.
India has delivered a restrained yet clear message to Pakistan. Whether it is enough for Pakistan to learn a lesson remains uncertain. Given its past behaviour, India must remain fully prepared, not just for Pakistan’s provocations, but also for the strategic games of the China-Bangladesh-Turkey trio.
Jai Hind.
(The author is a retired naval aviation officer and defence analyst. Views personal.)
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