In a dramatic escalation of cross-border tensions, India’s armed forces launched a sweeping offensive against terrorist camps and Pakistani military positions along the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the deaths of more than 100 terrorists and over 100 Pakistani soldiers, according to multiple senior Indian military officials. The operation, code-named Operation Sindoor, unfolded in the early hours of May 7, 2025, and is being hailed by Indian authorities as a turning point in the country's security doctrine against cross-border terrorism.
Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), provided a detailed account of the operation at the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries conclave in Delhi on October 14, 2025. He described the Indian response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack as “targeted, controlled, and non-escalatory,” emphasizing that the actions taken were carefully calibrated to achieve both military and political objectives without triggering a wider conflict. According to The Economic Times and The Hindu, the strikes were part of a new Indian strategy that treats terror acts as acts of war, warranting decisive and immediate retaliation.
“We hit nine targets across the breadth of Pakistan. This was a fusion of military precision and diplomatic agility, informational superiority and economic leverage,” Lt. Gen. Ghai said, as reported by The Hindu. He further noted that the Indian military had “war-gamed four to five steps ahead,” preparing for every conceivable Pakistani response. The anticipation paid off: after the initial strikes, cross-border firing from Pakistan intensified, with incidents rising from an initial 35-40 to levels that, according to Pakistan’s own official awards list, resulted in more than 100 Pakistani military casualties on the LoC.
“After the terror targets were struck, there was cross-border firing from Pakistan—ceasefire violations spiked. Initially, I mentioned 35-40 incidents, but recently their own awards list suggested over 100 casualties on the Line of Control,” Lt. Gen. Ghai explained, referencing the large number of posthumous gallantry medals awarded by Pakistan on August 14, 2025. These awards, he argued, served as indirect confirmation of the scale of losses suffered by the Pakistani military, a point echoed by both Indian and international observers.
Operation Sindoor’s scope was unprecedented. Indian forces targeted nine camps and headquarters spread across Pakistan, neutralizing more than 100 terrorists in the process. The operation was not limited to the army and air force; the Indian Navy also played a significant role, sailing into the Arabian Sea and preparing for any escalation that might have required a maritime response. “The navy was also in action; having sailed into the Arabian Sea, they were well poised for escalation had the enemy taken it further. It could have been catastrophic for them not only from the sea but from other dimensions,” said Lt. Gen. Ghai, according to The Economic Times.
India’s new approach to cross-border terrorism, as articulated by senior military leadership, is rooted in the belief that terror acts should be met with the full spectrum of national power. This includes not just military retaliation, but also diplomatic and economic measures. Notably, India placed the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 into abeyance immediately after the Pahalgam attack, leveraging a critical water-sharing agreement as part of its broader coercive strategy. “We achieved our political and military aims,” Lt. Gen. Ghai stated, underscoring the multi-pronged nature of the response.
In the aftermath of the strikes, Pakistan reportedly sought a cessation of hostilities in less than four days—a mere 88 hours after the operation commenced. This rapid timeline, Indian officials argue, is testament to the effectiveness and intensity of the punitive measures. “It took 88 hours for the enemy to come and ask for a halt. We achieved our political and military aims,” Lt. Gen. Ghai said, as cited by The Hindu.
One of the most striking aspects of Operation Sindoor was the level of preparation and contingency planning by the Indian military. “It’s naive to think the Indian Army would go into this kind of action without preparing for contingencies. We had wargamed four to five steps ahead,” Lt. Gen. Ghai told an audience of Army chiefs from 30 countries. By anticipating Pakistani retaliation, Indian forces were able to hit a second layer of defense across the border, inflicting heavy casualties and catching the adversary off guard.
The operation also saw the culmination of a manhunt for the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. Within 96 days, Indian security forces tracked down and eliminated those responsible, an outcome described by Lt. Gen. Ghai as “clinical.” He added, “They were exhausted from running and appeared malnourished when found. Justice was served,” confirming that the Home Minister had already informed Parliament of their elimination.
The events of May 2025 and their aftermath have drawn significant attention both domestically and internationally. Supporters of the Indian government’s approach argue that the swift, decisive response has restored deterrence and sent an unmistakable signal that cross-border terrorism will no longer be tolerated as a low-cost option. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the risk of escalation and the humanitarian impact of intensified cross-border hostilities. Some international observers have also questioned the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that such measures could set a dangerous precedent for the use of shared resources as instruments of coercion.
Despite these debates, there is little doubt that Operation Sindoor marks a new chapter in India’s security posture. The fusion of military precision, diplomatic agility, and economic leverage—combined with a willingness to operate across multiple domains—signals a more assertive and integrated approach to national defense. As the dust settles along the LoC, both countries face the challenge of managing heightened tensions while avoiding further escalation. For now, the Indian military’s message is clear: terror will be met with force, and the rules of engagement have changed.
With the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack eliminated and the balance of deterrence recalibrated, India’s evolving doctrine is likely to shape the security landscape of South Asia for years to come.
