In a rare public disclosure, the Indian Air Force has revealed details of Operation Sindoor, the covert military response launched after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit, Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari shared new footage and operational insights into the mission India&rsquo;s precision strikes on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
"Planning began almost immediately after the attack. On April 23, all three armed services convened at their respective headquarters to assess options. By April 24, a high-level team had reviewed a range of contingency plans, many of which had been prepared in advance for rapid deployment. Tactical planning intensified over the next few days, and by April 29, nine key targets had been finalised. The strike date was set for May 5. Between May 6 and 9, Indian forces executed a series of calculated strikes," he said.
Air Marshal Tiwari noted that fewer than 50 weapons were used to achieve what he described as "conflict elimination."
"The objective was clear: deliver a strong, visible response, deter future attacks, and grant the armed forces full operational freedom - even in the face of potential escalation. Pakistan responded with attempted strikes on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. These were met with fierce counter-attacks, targeting several Pakistani military installations," he said.
After four days of intense cross-border drone and missile exchanges, both nations reached an understanding on May 10 to end hostilities.
"This is the first time since Operation Sindoor that the Air Force is speaking publicly," Tiwari remarked, underlining the precision and strategic restraint that shaped the operation.
"We boiled down to nine targets. And in less than 50 weapons, we were able to achieve conflict elimination."
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also present at the summit, stressed the rising significance of air defence in modern warfare.
He unveiled the Sudarshan Chakra mission, an ambitious initiative designed to strengthen India&rsquo;s defensive and offensive capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the project during his Independence Day address, shortly after Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reportedly suggested targeting Indian assets in future clashes.
Operation Sindoor stands as a turning point in India&rsquo;s military doctrine combining speed, precision, and strategic signalling. It also opens a new era of transparency, with the Air Force publicly detailing its role in safeguarding national security. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Operation Sindoor:IAF’s Precision Strikes Revealed

IAF discloses rare details of strikes Pahalgam terror attack, less than 50 weapons used

Operation Sindoor:IAF’s Precision Strikes Revealed

IAF discloses rare details of strikes Pahalgam terror attack, less than 50 weapons used

August 30, 2025 | 17:00 IST