Operation Sindoor: What India gained and what Pakistan lost in this conflict

India successfully achieved three key objectives, political, military, and psychological, through its military strikes on 7 May, according to government sources quoted by TOI.

The military objective, as stated by the Prime Minister, was to “reduce the terrorists to dust.” This was reportedly accomplished in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad. The political aim was to increase the cost of supporting terrorism for Pakistan and to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan ends its cross-border terrorism. The psychological aim was to send a strong message that “no place is safe” for terrorists, underlining India’s intent to strike inside enemy territory if needed.

A New Normal in India-Pakistan Relations

Officials said the strikes marked a shift in India’s approach towards Pakistan, the Line of Control (LoC) and nuclear threats could no longer be used as cover for terrorism. India had made its position clear after the Pahalgam attack: it would hit terror camps in Pakistan. The PM had instructed the armed forces to respond to every “goli” (bullet) with a “gola” (cannonball).


Although large-scale violence has now stopped, Operation Sindoor is not yet over. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty will continue until Pakistan stops sponsoring terrorism. PM Modi had already conveyed India’s determination to US President Donald Trump on 22 April, while in Saudi Arabia. On 1 May, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had also informed US Senator Marco Rubio about India’s decision to strike terror camps in Pakistan.

Air Strikes on Pakistan’s Military Bases

At a recent briefing, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched precision strikes on Pakistan’s airbases and radar installations. These actions followed repeated drone attacks from Pakistan on Indian military and civilian sites.

Air Marshal Bharti presented “before and after” satellite images showing major damage to key Pakistani airbases, including runways, aircraft hangars, and support buildings. The affected sites included Sargodha (which houses F-16 jets), Skardu, Jacobabad, Bholari, Sukkur, and Rahim Yar Khan.

“To begin with, our fight was only with the terrorists, not the Pakistani military,” Bharti said. “But the relentless attacks left us with no choice.” A notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by Pakistan confirmed that the runway at Rahim Yar Khan would remain closed for at least a week.

Sending a Clear Message

Bharti said the real aim was not just damage, but to send a message, that India could strike deep within Pakistan. The strikes were carefully planned to avoid civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

In total, India targeted nine airbases, including Rafiqui and Murid, along with radar sites at Pasrur, Chunian, and Sialkot.

The IAF used a range of advanced weapons in the mission: Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets equipped with extended-range BrahMos missiles (450 km), Crystal Maze-2 missiles, Scalp cruise missiles, Hammer guided munitions, and Spice-2000 bombs.

The Sukhoi-30MKIs have a combat range of about 1,500 km without needing mid-air refuelling. With BrahMos missiles flying at nearly three times the speed of sound (Mach 2.8), this weapons combination proved highly effective. Around 40 Sukhoi jets have now been upgraded to carry BrahMos.

The IAF has been practising long-range precision strikes in the Bay of Bengal region for quite some time, and this operation demonstrated that capability on the western front.

India’s military actions under Operation Sindoor have been defined by 'precision' and 'professionalism'. The strikes were aligned with the country’s national objectives and intended to convey a clear message to Pakistan about the consequences of supporting terrorism. The successful execution of these strikes highlights India’s preparedness to respond decisively to any threat.