India Thwarts Pakistani Drone & Missile Attacks; PM Modi Reviews "Operation Sindoor"

8 May, 2025

Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions, India successfully thwarted Pakistani attempts to target military installations using Turkish drones and missiles. Indian forces responded proportionately, employing advanced air defence systems like S-400, Barak-8, and Akash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed "Operation Sindoor" with top security officials, including NSA Ajit Doval and service chiefs, to discuss future actions and ongoing ceasefire violations by Pakistan, following India's earlier strikes on terror infrastructure.

Unpacked:

What triggered Operation Sindoor and what were its main objectives?

Operation Sindoor was launched as a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. Its main objectives were to destroy high-value terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and to signal a doctrinal shift by targeting locations deep within Pakistan's mainland, treating both terrorists and their state sponsors as legitimate targets.

How did India’s use of air defence systems impact the outcome of the attacks?

India’s use of advanced air defence systems like S-400, Barak-8, and Akash enabled it to successfully thwart Pakistani drone and missile attacks against military installations. These systems provided effective protection, allowing Indian forces to respond proportionately while minimizing casualties and damage to strategic assets.[Summary]

What is the significance of India targeting locations deep inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor?

By targeting locations deep within Pakistan, including strategic zones like Punjab and Bahawalpur, India broke with past norms and erased the distinction between terrorist groups and their state sponsors. This signaled that any future state-supported terrorism would face direct, visible, and proportional retaliation, establishing a new red line in the conflict.

How has the international community reacted to these recent escalations between India and Pakistan?

While the summary does not specify international reactions, typically such escalations prompt calls for restraint from global powers and organizations. Concerns often center around the risk of broader conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors, with many urging dialogue and de-escalation to maintain regional stability.