Operation Sindoor is now paused as India continues to monitor Pakistan’s actions and activities. The operation lasted four days at the end of which Pakistan, a nuclear weapons state, backed by China, Turkey and Azerbaijan, sought termination of hostilities. This is in sharp contrast to current ongoing global conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. India had no intention of occupying territory. It had sought to convey the message that terrorist actions are unacceptable and will invite a backlash. The end game was determined by the political leadership; it was to convey a stern warning in case of future terrorist strikes, while ensuring no collateral damage.

The exit strategy based on a possible Pakistani reaction was evolved by the armed forces and approved by the political authority. The modus operandi, date, timings, as also choice of weapons was left to the forces, a perfect politicomilitary coordination. The operations, once they commenced, were closely monitored by the Cabinet Committee on Security. Unlike Pakistan, India had decided not to target civilians. Indian armed forces initially destroyed select terrorist camps, employing a combination of ground and air launched weapons, each accurately, choosing the time when there would be minimum civilians in vicinity.

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The strikes were so accurate that neighbouring structures were undamaged. After the first strike, India left a message for Pakistan on the hot line that only terrorist camps, not military facilities, had been destroyed. Pakistan refused to take the hint as terrorists have greater value than soldiers. The second retaliation was a display of India’s military prowess, accurately destroying airfields and radar sites. It opened Pakistan to any future strikes as its air defence capabilities and its operational airfields were unusable. Pakistan was down on its........

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