By Defense Correspondent Nibedita Sen
Pakistan’s ISPR spokesman, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, said that last night, India again violated Pakistani borders and sent drones to various locations. This comes after massive Indian strikes on 7th early in the morning on multiple terror camps in Pakistan and Pak-controlled Kashmir.
He said that Pakistan’s armed forces have destroyed 12 drones so far, and their debris is now being collected from various locations. The ISPR spokesperson said that Indian drones were sent towards the Pakistani cities of Lahore, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Attock, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, and Karachi.
Speaking about the damage, a Pakistan Army spokesperson said that a military target was targeted by a drone in Lahore, in which four Pakistani army personnel were injured and minor damage was also caused to military installations.
According to an ISPR spokesperson, one civilian was killed and another was injured in Mianwali, Sindh.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif also said that the Indian drones are still being shot down, and the Pakistani army is destroying them. “We know how to deal with this aggression very well, we are dealing with it, and we not only have the determination but also the ability to respond to these aggressors,” he said
Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has said that if military action is taken against India, it will be met with a very strong response. Jaishankar made this statement during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi.
“We do not wish to escalate the situation. But if Pakistan acts, we will not back down either,” Jaishankar said, adding, “Operation Sindoor was against the terrorist attack that happened in Pahalgam.”
India’s recent Operation Sindoor marks the third publicly acknowledged military action against terror camps in Pakistan following the 2016 Uri surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.
Together, these operations reflect a decisive shift in India’s counterterrorism strategy — one that is technologically sophisticated, measured in its application of force, and unapologetically assertive in signalling that cross-border terrorism will no longer go unanswered.
In a candid conversation, former chief of naval staff Admiral (Retd) Arun Prakash (VRC) offered sharp insights into what this operation revealed about India’s military and geopolitical thinking.
Operation Sindoor underscores an important evolution in India’s military posture — a shift from reactive defense to proactive deterrence. Unlike in the past, when India absorbed attacks like the 2001 Parliament attack or the 2008 Mumbai attacks (26/11) without military retaliation, the Indian state today demonstrates its willingness to act beyond words.
Arun Prakash highlights a key factor driving this shift: technology. With the increasing range, accuracy, and precision of India’s weapon systems, the need to physically cross the border has diminished. Whether through air-launched munitions, long-range artillery, or drone strikes, India can now neutralize threats and punish perpetrators without incurring the risks of full-scale war.
By keeping the threshold of provocation low, India is sending a dual message: first, to Pakistan, that sponsorship of terrorism will come at a cost; second, to the international community, that India is a responsible actor operating well below the escalation line.
Operation Sindoor, like the earlier Balakot and Uri operations, caught Pakistan off guard. This repeated vulnerability points to both an intelligence failure within Pakistan and a declining ability to anticipate Indian responses.
As Admiral Prakash puts it, “If they are allowing terrorists to get trained and armed, that itself is an act of war. We would like to punish for allowing this cross-border terrorism.”
For decades, Pakistan has used terrorism as an asymmetric tool against India, calculating that its nuclear deterrent would shield it from major retaliation. The three Indian operations challenge that assumption. By launching limited but highly visible punitive strikes, India is reshaping the deterrence equation and puncturing Pakistan’s confidence that it can bleed India with a thousand cuts without paying a price.
While Operation Sindoor’s success reinforces India’s confidence, it also raises a critical question: What comes next?
Admiral Prakash cautions that India must be prepared for retaliation, even if symbolic, from Pakistan. “There will be public pressure from their side, so we need to be prepared,” he says. This is where the concept of the escalation ladder comes in — every rung climbed increases the risk of a broader conflict.
India, therefore, faces the challenge of balancing assertiveness with restraint. It must continue to deter Pakistan while avoiding actions that could inadvertently spark an all-out war, particularly between two nuclear-armed rivals.
The India-Pakistan rivalry has always been more than a bilateral affair. The presence of nuclear weapons adds a layer of complexity that draws the attention of global powers. As Prakash explains, “Nuclear radiation travels all over the world. If things escalate too far, other countries will try and intervene.”
In past crises — from Kargil to Balakot — the United States, China, and other actors have played behind-the-scenes roles in defusing tensions. With Operation Sindoor, the international community will again be watching closely, both out of concern for regional stability and fear of nuclear escalation.
However, the fact that India has managed three successive operations without triggering international backlash suggests that its strategy is being carefully calibrated. By using measured force, avoiding civilian targets, and signalling limited aims, India has walked the tightrope between punishment and escalation with notable skill.
A central theme of India’s new military doctrine is the pursuit of technological superiority. As Admiral Prakash points out, the Indian military today has access to satellite imagery, precision-guided munitions, and advanced surveillance tools that were unimaginable during past conflicts like the 1971 war. “We’re fighting from a distance,” he notes. “We don’t physically clash anymore.”
This reliance on technology allows India to minimize its casualties, reduce collateral damage, and maximize impact while staying within the bounds of responsible state behaviour. As countries worldwide experiment with AI, drones, and cyber capabilities in warfare, India’s adaptation reflects a rapidly modernizing military.
Operation Sindoor is more than just a tactical victory — it is the clearest expression of India’s emerging military doctrine yet. In less than a decade, India has moved from strategic restraint to calibrated retaliation. It has shown that it can strike terrorists across the border without crossing red lines, and it has done so in a manner that reassures allies and unnerves adversaries.
Yet this new doctrine comes with responsibilities. As India flexes its military muscle, it must remain vigilant against the risks of escalation. Strong leadership, diplomatic finesse, and continued investment in technology will ensure that future operations enhance security without plunging the region into chaos.
Operation Sindoor is a stark reminder for Pakistan that the old rules no longer apply. For India, it marks another step toward an assertive, modern, and resolutely focused military posture, one that will defend national interests in an increasingly volatile region.
Mai us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
