Operation Sindoor: India’s unified armed response repels Pakistani aggression across land, sea, and air
New Delhi, May 12. India’s top military leadership on Monday shared an in-depth account of the country’s coordinated tri-service defence response to Pakistan’s recent hostilities, particularly in the wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.
The operation, codenamed Sindoor, showcased India’s ability to defend resolutely without provocation while asserting its dominance across all domains – land, sea, and air.
During a high-level press briefing, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO), Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), and Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO), described the seamless coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force that underpinned India’s strategic posture.
“Our fight is with terrorists and not with the Pakistan military,” Air Marshal Bharti said. “On May 7, we only targeted terror hubs. But unfortunately, the Pakistan military intervened
He said that India’s air defence (AD) systems “stood like a wall” for the country.
“All threats from Pakistan were addressed by multiple, overlapping layers,” he explained. “All Pakistani missiles were thwarted. Our old battle-hardened air defence systems also helped.”
Air Marshal Bharti further stated that a Chinese-made PL-15 missile used by Pakistan missed its target.
“All loitering munitions and unmanned aerial systems used by Pakistan were brought down by our trained crew and air defence systems were brought down by our trained crew and air defence systems,” he added.
Lt Gen Ghai emphasised that India did not breach the Line of Control (LoC) or the International Border (IB) during its defensive actions, countering any speculation of cross-border operations. All military responses remained strictly within Indian territory.
He noted the growing threat posed by evolving terrorist tactics, especially the civilian-targeted attacks in 2024 at Shiv Khori and then last month in Pahalgam, which marked a shift in India’s strategic threat assessment.
Between May 9 and 10, the Pakistan Air Force launched multiple drone incursions, all of which were intercepted by India’s multi-layered air defence network.
“Not a single enemy drone penetrated our airspace,” Lt Gen Ghai confirmed, adding that drones were neutralised through a mix of shoulder-fired weapons and integrated counter-drone systems. He praised the Border Security Force (BSF) for its vigilance and swift action on the ground.
Vice Admiral Pramod outlined the Navy’s extensive maritime operations, highlighting the use of real-time intelligence, persistent surveillance, and advanced sensor systems. The Carrier Battle Group, anchored by MiG-29K fighters and early-warning aircraft, established a formidable air defence shield over the Indian Ocean.
“No hostile aircraft even came close to our fleet,” he declared, pointing to the Navy’s round-the-clock operational readiness. Anti-aircraft and anti-missile drills validated India’s preparedness in a high-threat environment.
Pakistani naval and air units were effectively contained along the Makran coast, stripped of any strategic mobility or retaliatory capability.
“Our maritime dominance ensured the strategic advantage remained entirely in India’s favour,” the Vice Admiral noted.
Operation Sindoor, officials said, not only underscored India’s ability to defend against hybrid threats but also delivered an unambiguous warning: any future cross-border terrorism will trigger an immediate and multidimensional response, leaving no domain uncontested.
