A Stern Message to Islamabad
In a powerful and unambiguous message, Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, declared that India possesses the capability to strike any target across Pakistan. Speaking in the aftermath of the highly coordinated and successful Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen D’Cunha said, “The whole of Pakistan is within range… they’ll have to find a deep hole,” referring pointedly to the vulnerability of Pakistan’s military headquarters, regardless of its location.
He added that even if Pakistan shifts its General Headquarters (GHQ) from Rawalpindi to more remote regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), it would not shield them from Indian precision strikes. His comments reflect not just confidence but a warning—India has both the political will and military means to retaliate forcefully in the face of state-sponsored terrorism.
Operation Sindoor: A Calculated Response to Terror
Launched in response to the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, Operation Sindoor marked a significant shift in India’s military posture. On May 7, the Indian Armed Forces executed a series of precise strikes on terror infrastructure inside Pakistan. The strikes targeted nine locations, including strategic air bases, command centres, and radar installations.
The operation relied heavily on modern indigenous technologies. Loitering munitions, long-range drones, and guided weaponry were deployed to ensure minimal collateral damage and maximum strategic impact. What set Operation Sindoor apart from previous operations was its scope, depth, and technological sophistication.
Notably, the Indian Defence Ministry highlighted that while many strikes were near the border, several key blows were delivered deep inside Pakistani territory—including Rawalpindi, the heart of Pakistan’s military command.
Strategic Analysis: The Pros and Cons
Pros:
· Technological Demonstration: Operation Sindoor showcased India’s growing indigenous defense capabilities, especially in drone warfare, precision targeting, and multi-branch coordination.
· Strategic Depth: By hitting targets beyond the border zones, India sent a clear message: geographical relocation offers no safety for those who sponsor terrorism.
· Unified Command: The seamless coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force during both the offensive and the subsequent drone defense operation highlighted the effectiveness of joint operational doctrine.
· Effective Deterrence: The operation established a deterrent precedent for future provocations. Pakistan now faces the reality that its actions will draw swift and deep retaliation.
Cons:
· Escalation Risk: Any cross-border strike carries the risk of full-scale escalation. While the operation was limited in scope, Pakistan’s counteractions on May 8, 9, and 10 showed how rapidly tensions can spiral.
· Diplomatic Fallout: While India defended its actions as pre-emptive and proportionate, there’s always the risk of international scrutiny and pressure for restraint.
· Collateral Sensitivities: Even with precision strikes, the possibility of unintended casualties or infrastructure damage exists, which can have humanitarian and political repercussions.
Aftermath: Retaliation and Ceasefire
Following India’s May 7 offensive, Pakistan retaliated with a drone swarm attack and attempted to strike Indian military targets over the next three days. However, Indian forces, using integrated air defense systems, intercepted nearly 1,000 drones. All unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) carrying payloads were neutralized without civilian casualties—a fact Lt Gen D’Cunha proudly emphasized as “proof of the pudding.”
On May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that both nations agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities on land, air, and sea. While this truce offers a momentary reprieve, the future remains fragile.
Precision Over Provocation
Operation Sindoor was more than a military maneuver—it was a declaration. India has moved from strategic restraint to calibrated assertion. It has proven that its responses to cross-border terrorism can be surgical, effective, and strategically deep. The lesson for Pakistan is clear: sanctuary for terror will not come without cost.
In the end, deterrence is not about destruction—it’s about clarity. And India, through Operation Sindoor, has made its message unmistakably clear.
(With agency inputs)
