When India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, it wasn’t just a military operation-it was a masterclass in strategic deception, orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The world, and especially Pakistan, watched as India “indicated left”-signaling restraint and routine drills-only to “turn right” with a precise, multi-domain strike that shattered terror infrastructure across the border.
In the weeks following the horrific Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians lost their lives, India’s public posture was one of measured calm. The government announced civil defense drills and military exercises along the Rajasthan border, creating an impression of routine preparedness rather than imminent escalation. Behind the scenes, however, Modi had already granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom,” setting the stage for a response that would be both unexpected and overwhelming.
At 1:44 am on May 6, India’s Army, Navy, and Air Force launched coordinated strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including high-value targets like Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Bahawalpur base and Lashkar’s Muridke facility. The operation was codenamed “Sindoor,” a name chosen personally by PM Modi, symbolizing both sacrifice and decisive action.
India’s actions were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”-deliberately avoiding Pakistani military assets to prevent wider conflict, while still delivering a devastating blow to terror infrastructure. Over 80 terrorists were reportedly eliminated, and the backbone of cross-border terror networks was severely damaged.
Pakistan’s response was telling: near-empty airspace, scrambled air defenses, and a scramble to control the narrative. The Pakistani establishment, lulled by India’s apparent restraint and routine drills, failed to anticipate the scale and precision of the operation. By the time the strikes were underway, it was too late for any meaningful counteraction.
This operation exemplifies PM Modi’s evolving security doctrine-signal one intention, act with another. By keeping adversaries guessing, India maximized the element of surprise and minimized collateral escalation. The message to Pakistan and the world was clear: India will not telegraph its moves, but when it acts, it will do so with precision and resolve.