In the aftermath of an attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India executed Operation Sindoor. Lieutenant General Prateek Sharma provided insights into how India defeated and taught Pakistan a lesson during the operation. Indian forces responded to Pakistani ceasefire violations by firing over 30,000 artillery and mortar shells and more than 300,000 rounds of small arms fire between May 7th and 10th. He noted that for every round fired by Pakistan, India responded with three to four rounds. He also placed blame on Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir, for inciting terrorists and the Pakistani military before the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which led to Operation Sindoor.
Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari revealed that less than 50 air weapons were enough to force Pakistan to call for peace and a ceasefire. He highlighted that it is easy to start a war, but not as easy to end one. He presented video and satellite images to show the damage in Pakistan.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) employed Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, and Mirage-2000 fighter jets. They utilized BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, and Crystal Maze-2, Rampage, and SCALP missiles to conduct precision strikes. The targets were airfields, radar sites, and some near nuclear installations and command and control structures.
Both officials stated that the political directive was to conduct punitive strikes with minimal damage, consider the risk of escalation, and create a deterrent message to the Pakistani army. The armed forces had complete operational freedom to execute the operation.
Lieutenant-General Sharma further explained that the Pahalgam massacre happened soon after a provocative speech by Munir, where he cited the two-nation theory and called Kashmir Pakistan’s jugular vein. He stated this was a direct instigation to terrorists and the Pakistani army.
Following the attack in Pahalgam in April, in which 26 people were killed, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. India targeted nine terrorist locations in Pakistan. A ceasefire between both nations was announced on May 10.