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India.com
17-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
From Vijay To Sindoor: How India Names Its Military Operations, What They Really Mean
New Delhi: The names behind India's military actions tell stories beyond strategy. They shape narratives, evoke emotions and define moments in the country's fraught history with Pakistan. The recent Operation Sindoor stands out, not just for its military objective, but for the symbolism packed into a single word. Unveiled with a striking image on social media, Operation Sindoor showed the word 'Sindoor' in bold letters, with the second 'O' spilling vermilion – a vivid emblem of marriage, womanhood, sacrifice and blood. This was not a random choice. According to sources, the name was personally selected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It highlighted a shift in how India frames its military responses – emotive but at the same time with poetic resonance. Historically, India's operations have carried names rooted in myth, geography or abstract notions, sometimes deliberately bland to preserve secrecy. Each operation's title carried a message – strength, retribution and victory. Names of previous military operations such as 'Trident', 'Vijay' or 'Safed Sagar' have echoed across decades, each encoding India's stance and the narrative it wants to project. In the shadow of these campaigns lies Kashmir, a region suspended between conflicting histories and ongoing tension. The stories behind these operations reveal how India and Pakistan view the same events through vastly different lenses. Consider 'Operation Gulmarg' of 1947. Records describe it as Pakistan's tribal militias invading Kashmir and forcing the Maharaja to seek India's help, sparking the first Indo-Pak war. Fast forward to 1965. After skirmishes in the Rann of Kutch, India launched 'Operation Ablaze' to mobilise forces. Pakistan responded with 'Operation Gibraltar' to incite rebellion in Kashmir and 'Operation Grand Slam' to support it. India's 'Operation Riddle' pushed into Lahore and Kasur. Each side framed the conflict as defensive; the war ended in stalemate, with civilians paying the highest price. The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War saw bold codenames like 'Operation Cactus Lily', an air assault aiding Indian troops crossing the Meghna River, and 'Operations Trident' and 'Operation Python', naval missile strikes on Karachi. India portrayed these as tactical and humanitarian victories, while Pakistan saw them as violations and unexpected blows. 1984's 'Operation Meghdoot' took on a poetic form, named after Kalidasa's 'Cloud Messenger', symbolising India's capture of the icy Siachen Glacier – harsh terrain mirroring the challenging political landscape. The 1999 Kargil conflict was marked by 'Operation Vijay' (victory) and 'Operation Safed Sagar' (white sea), emphasising India's resolve to reclaim lost ground. Pakistan's initial denial of involvement added layers to the complex conflict narrative. In 2016, after the Uri terror attack, India's surgical strikes crossed the Line of Control to hit terrorist camps without a formal operation name, signaling a new boldness in its military posture – amplified by media coverage. 'Operation Bandar' in 2019 followed the Pulwama bombing with air strikes in Balakot. India framed it as deterrence; Pakistan called it symbolic. The episode underscored how military actions and their names become tools in a broader war of perception, carrying weight far beyond the battlefield. In every operation name lies a story – a battle not just for territory, but for hearts, minds and the legacy of a conflict that remains unresolved. Through these words, India communicates not only its military might but its cultural and political narrative, shaping how history will remember each chapter in the ongoing Indo-Pak saga.
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First Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
From Operation Vijay to Operation Sindoor: How India's military operations against Pakistan have evolved
India has conducted at least ten major military operations in response to aggression or terrorism emanating from Pakistan, including Operation Trident (1971), Operation Vijay (1999), Operation Bandar (2019) and most recently, Operation Sindoor (2025). These have involved air, land and naval assets and reflect a steady evolution toward high-precision, targeted counterforce strategies read more A Pakistan Army soldier stands in front of damaged building after it was hit by an Indian strike in Muzaffarabad, in PoK on May 7. Reuters In the early hours of May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a coordinated military strike targeting terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This tri-services mission — executed by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy — was the most extensive cross-border precision strike conducted by India since the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. The operation was India's direct military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed, including a serving Indian Navy officer and a Nepali national. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The attackers were reportedly linked to the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Operation Sindoor was notable for its use of advanced long-range precision munitions, including the SCALP air-launched cruise missile, HAMMER guided bombs and loitering munitions. The operation was reportedly launched after high-level security consultations and was monitored in real time by top military and political leadership. India and Pakistan have fought four full-fledged wars and numerous skirmishes, standoffs and proxy confrontations since 1947. In response to direct military threats and cross-border terrorism, India has launched a series of military operations over the decades, the most recent among them — Operation Sindoor — highlights India's evolving doctrine of precision and strategic restraint. We take a look at a few of the major Indian military operations conducted against Pakistan since independence: Indo-Pak War of 1947–48 (First Kashmir War) Operation Gulmarg (1947–48) — by Pakistan India's first military response to Pakistani aggression came shortly after independence when tribal militias and Pakistani regulars infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947. Codenamed Operation Gulmarg by Pakistan, this incursion prompted India to launch a military airlift of troops to Srinagar on October 27, 1947. The ensuing conflict lasted until 1948 and ended with a UN-brokered ceasefire in January 1949. India retained about two-thirds of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan occupied the rest (now PoK). Indo-Pak War of 1965 Operation Riddle (1965) Operation Riddle was the Indian Navy's codename for its operations during the Indo-Pak War of 1965. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tasked primarily with the defence of India's western coast, the operation involved naval deployments to deter Pakistani aggression. Although no major offensive was launched, this operation led to a strategic reassessment, resulting in a more assertive naval doctrine in subsequent years. Operation Blaze (1965) Conducted in August 1965, just prior to the full-scale war, Operation Blaze was a limited strike by Indian forces in the Kargil sector in response to Pakistani artillery shelling. Indian troops successfully engaged and silenced Pakistani forward posts, establishing tactical dominance in parts of Ladakh. This action served as a prelude to the broader conflict that followed. Pakistani codenames during Indo-Pak War of 1965 Operation Gibraltar: Infiltration by Pakistani soldiers disguised as locals to incite rebellion in Kashmir. Operation Grand Slam: An attempt to capture the Akhnoor region to cut off Jammu. The outcome was a stalemate with high casualties on both sides. It ended with the Tashkent Agreement (1966) mediated by the Soviet Union. Indo-Pak War of 1971 Operation Cactus Lily (1971) During the Indo-Pak war of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh, the Indian Army launched Operation Cactus Lily on the western front. It complemented Operation Trident and Operation Python, which were major naval offensives. India successfully contained Pakistani advances in the west. Operation Trident (1971) Launched on December 4, 1971, Operation Trident was a surprise naval attack on the Karachi port by the Indian Navy. It marked the first time anti-ship missiles were used in combat in the region. Pakistani fuel reserves and naval assets were heavily damaged. December 4 is now Navy Day. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Python (1971) A follow-up to Operation Trident, Operation Python was executed on December 8, 1971, targeting remaining Pakistani naval facilities in Karachi. The operation further crippled Pakistan's maritime logistics and is remembered for its precision. The outcome of the war led to the creation of Bangladesh. Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat, with over 90,000 troops surrendering. Operation Meghdoot (1984) Although not directly a strike on Pakistan, Operation Meghdoot involved the Indian Army's preemptive occupation of the Siachen Glacier in April 1984, before Pakistan could assert control. Indian army soldiers muster at the base camp after coming back from training at Siachen Glacier, October 4, 2003. File Image/Reuters It remains the world's highest battlefield and a strategic stronghold. India gained control of Siachen, which it continues to hold. Kargil War (1999) Operation Vijay Following the Pakistani Army's incursion into Indian territory in Kargil, Ladakh, India launched Operation Vijay in May 1999. The Indian Army, with significant air support (under Operation Safed Sagar), successfully evicted infiltrators. It remains one of the most intense high-altitude warfare operations. India recaptured key peaks and ridges. Over 500 Indian soldiers and an estimated 400-3,000 Pakistani soldiers reportedly died. It was the first televised war in India and it also helped elevated the profile of the Indian armed forces. Under Operation Safed Sagar, IAF's codename for air operations during Kargil conflict. It deployed Mirage-2000 jets to precision bomb enemy posts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Parakram (2001–2002) Following the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, India launched Operation Parakram, a massive mobilisation of troops along the Pakistan border. Although it stopped short of full-scale war, the 10-month-long standoff was one of the largest deployments since 1971. Surgical strikes (2016) – Operation X In response to the Uri terror attack where 19 Indian soldiers were killed, India conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control on September 29, 2016, targeting launch pads used by Pakistan-based terrorists. While unofficially referred to as Operation X by media, the operation showcased India's new doctrine of cross-border, targeted retaliation. Paratroopers from the Indian Armed Forces crossed the LoC and struck targets within PoK. Balakot Air Strikes (2019) – Operation Bandar After the Pulwama terror attack, India carried out an airstrike deep inside Pakistan in Balakot on February 26, 2019. Codenamed Operation Bandar, it marked the first airstrike across the international border since 1971 and was aimed at a Jaish-e-Mohammed training facility. It was a response to Pulwama suicide bombing that killed 40 CRPF personnel. The objective was airstrikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed training camps in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Mirage 2000 aircraft dropped precision-guided munitions on the targets. The strike marked India's first air incursion into Pakistani territory since 1971. Pakistan responded with an aerial skirmish on February 27, leading to IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman's capture and return. India's military operations against Pakistan reflect a transition from conventional wars to precision-strike and hybrid doctrines. From large-scale wars in 1947, 1965 and 1971, to targeted strikes like Operation Bandar and Operation Sindoor, the trajectory shows how India's counter-terrorism and deterrence strategies are evolving. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Operation Sindoor, India has reaffirmed its ability to conduct tri-service precision operations while managing escalation. With inputs from agencies
