100 days of Operation Sindoor: What all has happened since India hit Pakistani terrorists, backers

Operation Sindoor began in the early hours of May 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the highly acclaimed military operation completing 100 days in his 12th consecutive Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on Friday.

The operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, and involved precision strikes by the Indian Air Force using Rafale fighter jets among others against terrorist bases and airbases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The Indian government announced the conclusion of Operation Sindoor on May 10 following a no-attack request from Pakistan and after achieving its objective of dismantling terror infrastructure.

In these 100 days after India launched Operation Sindoor, several significant developments have unfolded, signalling a shift in India’s counter-terrorism policy and a new doctrine of self-defence and self-reliance in defence. Let’s recap what has happened in this period.

The trigger

Pahalgam terror attack, April 22: The immediate trigger for Operation Sindoor was a terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were killed.

The response

Launch of Operation Sindoor, May 7: India responded by launching Operation Sindoor, involving precision missile and air strikes against nine terror infrastructure facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India said that the strikes targeted facilities of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen, and deliberately avoided Pakistani military or civilian targets.

Pakistan makes war on terror a bilateral conflict

Pakistan’s retaliation puts border on flames, May 7-10: Pakistan treated air strikes on terror hubs as an attack on its nation, and resorted to heavy cross-border shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), targeting civilian areas and causing several casualties on the Indian side.

It also launched a drone swarm invasion into Indian airspace, intercepted by India’s air defense systems.

Conflict escalates, India cripples Pak force

Almost a war, May 9-10: The conflict escalated further with India launching a massive strike on Pakistani assets. Pakistan’s attempts to breach Indian defences fail

India struck 11 Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan and Rafiqui air bases, destroying 20 per cent of Pakistan’s air force assets.

Pakistan claimed to have launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, targeting Indian military bases and facilities, and also a massive misinformation campaign with claims such as cyberattacks against India’s digital and power infrastructure

Pakistan bends its knees

Firing ceases, May 10: A ceasefire was eventually agreed upon between India and Pakistan on May 10, after hotline communication between their Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) on the specific request from the Pakistani side.

However, Pakistan continued to send drones for some time, violating ceasefire but Indian response ensured Islamabad follows what was agreed upon between the military leaders

Non-military response from India

Alongside the military operations, India also implemented non-military measures, including placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, closing the Attari-Wagah border, suspending bilateral trade, revoking visas for Pakistani nationals in India, and banning Pakistani artists and cultural exchanges.

India’s actions garnered strong international support in its counter-terrorism efforts, with countries like the US, UK, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE backing its stance.

New defence doctrine

Operation Sindoor also highlighted India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology, with the indigenous Akashteer air defense system playing a crucial role in intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles.

The successful deployment of this system led to it being considered a potential global export candidate.

India rejects nuclear blackmail

Operation Sindoor demonstrated a new strategic red line for India, making it clear that any future terror attacks will be treated as an act of war, with a strong response against both terrorists and their sponsors.

India’s actions redefined the rules of engagement and challenged the notion that Pakistan-based terror groups operate with impunity.

India said it no longer be held hostage to nuclear blackmail by countries supporting or sponsoring terrorism.