Responding to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, striking nine terrorist sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in an operation described as “focused, calibrated, and non-escalatory”.

What is the significance of the attack? How could Pakistan respond? And what should India be prepared for?

Newslaundry spoke to four senior defence experts to understand.

‘A step above anything done so far’

Lt General (Retd) Sanjeev Kanal, a defence expert and former Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Artillery and Commandant of the Officers Training Academy, said the operation “marks a step above anything that has been done until now”. “Such an operation has never been carried out before. We haven’t just struck terrorist camps – we have hit the very core where terrorists are indoctrinated and created by leaders of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.”

Lt General (Retd) Kanal said Pakistan’s response will also depend on major global powers. “India will certainly be engaging in diplomatic efforts to press Pakistan to accept this action as a stern warning – a rap on the knuckles, so to speak.”

He also pointed to “a school of thought” that suggests the Pahalgam attack may have been........

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