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Mint
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
‘Riddle', ‘Cactus Lily' and 'Sindoor' – decoding India's military codenames against Pakistan
Operation Sindoor: India's strikes at terrorist camps in Pakistan, hitting 9 targets successfully in the exercise on Wednesday morning was called 'Operation Sindoor' – a codename which was perhaps coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Operation Sindoor' came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran hill station. India had blamed Pakistan for the attack. Wednesday's operation was the deepest strikes inside Pakistan's territory since 1971, according to CNN, successfully targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation's codename is ostensibly a reference to only men being singled out based on their faith before being killed in Pahalgam. Sindoor is the Hindi word for vermillion, which married Hindu women often apply to their foreheads. 'Operation Sindoor' was perhaps India's revenge on behalf of the widows of Pahalgam terror attack. Unlike 'Operation Sindoor' where the emphasis was on victims, India's earlier military operation againts Pakistan had codenames that kind of inspired confidence within the armed forces. Here are some examples of codenames used by India for military operations before 'Operation Sindoor' : 'Operation Riddle' was the India's response to Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar and Grand Slam in 1965. Pakistan violated the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. In response, on 6 September, 1965, India launched 'Operation Riddle' in Lahore and Kasur. 'Operation Ablaze' was exercise by the Indian Army along the western border in May-June 1965, following Pakistani attack in the Rann of Kutch. It took place between the operations in the Rann of Kutch (Operation Kabaddi, April 1965) and Operation Gibraltar by Pakistan. The operation did not involve direct combat, it, however, demonstrated India's readiness before the war broke out in August 1965. 'Operation Cactus Lily' is also known as The Meghna Heli Bridge. This was an air operation by India in December 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The operation was conducted by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force to cross the Meghna River, bypass a Pakistani stronghold at Ashuganj/Bhairab Bazar and reach Dhaka. 'Operation Trident' was launched by the Indian Navy on port city of Karachi in Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. In this operation anti-ship missiles where used for the first time during combat in the region. The operation was conducted on the night of 4–5 December and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities. The Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, also known as the third Indo-Pakistani war, occurred during the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan from 3 December 1971 until the Pakistani capitulation in Dhaka on 16 December 1971. 'Operation Meghdoot' refers to the Indian army's operation to take full control of the Siachen Glacier in Ladakh. The operation was executed on the morning of 13 April 1984. It marks the highest battlefield in the world. The operation ended with Indian forces gaining control of the Siachen Glacier. 'Operation Sindoor' was perhaps India's revenge on behalf of the widows of Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Army remains the first and only army in the world to have deployed tanks and other heavy ordnance at altitudes well over 5,000 meters.
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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
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Operation Sindoor and a look at India's past military operations against Pakistan
By naming the operation to hit terrorist infrastructure at nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as Operation Sindoor, the Indian defence establishment has made a marked shift – from the projection of military power to paying tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Government sources indicate the name of the operation was chosen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself and could be seen as a tribute to the women who lost their husbands in the April 22 attack at the Baisaran meadow that killed 25 tourists and a local. Almost all past military operations by India against Pakistan have largely had conventional military names to inspire confidence internally and send a message of strength externally. Sometimes names were chosen to maintain the secrecy of the operation, and, at times, names were even drawn from Indian mythology. In the past, India has used names such as Operation Riddle, Operation Ablaze, Operation Cactus-Lily, Operation Trident, Operation Python, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Vijay, Operation Safed Sagar, and Operation Bandar in conflicts with Pakistan. Here's a look at some of the past military operations by India against Pakistan: 1. Operation Riddle (1965 Indo-Pak War) Operation Riddle was the Indian military's response to the offensive launched by Pakistan under the code names of Operation Gibraltar and Grand Slam in 1965. As Pakistan violated the Line of Control (LoC) and entered Jammu and Kashmir, India launched this operation, targeting Lahore and Kasur on September 6, 1965. The operation had a crippling effect on the Pakistan military. 2. Operation Ablaze (1965 Indo-Pak War) Operation Ablaze, too, was in the context of the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Launched as a defensive strategy on the western border, Operation Ablaze was the Indian Army's pre-emptive mobilisation plan in April 1965, following rising tensions and skirmishes along the India-Pakistan border, particularly in the Rann of Kutch area. Although it did not immediately result in direct combat, this large-scale mobilisation demonstrated India's readiness. The operation set the stage for heightened military preparedness before the full-fledged war broke out in August 1965. Outcome: The two operations effectively pushed back Pakistan and led to the Tashkent Agreement brokered by the Soviet Union. 3. Operation Cactus Lily (1971 Indo-Pak War) Operation Cactus Lily, also known as The Meghna Heli Bridge or the Crossing of the Meghna, was an air assault operation conducted in December 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. It was conducted by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force to cross the Meghna River, bypass a Pakistani stronghold at Ashuganj/Bhairab Bazar and reach Dhaka. 4 & 5. Operations Trident and Python (1971 Indo-Pak War) Both were offensive operations launched by the Indian Navy on Pakistan's port city of Karachi during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. Operation Trident saw the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region. The operation was conducted on the night of December 4-5, 1971 and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities. Outcome: Pakistan lost and Bangladesh was created. 6. Operation Meghdoot (Siachen conflict) By 1984, Pakistan's cartographic aggression in the uncharted territory of Ladakh, allowing foreign mountaineering expeditions in Siachen, was becoming a cause of concern. Having received intelligence inputs about an impending Pakistani military action in the area, India decided to thwart Pakistan's efforts to legitimise its claim on Siachen. The Indian Army launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984 to secure strategic heights on Siachen with the deployment of troops. The IAF transported stores and troops and air-dropped supplies to high-altitude airfields, from where Mi -17, Mi-8, Chetak, and Cheetah helicopters ferried men and material to dizzying heights on the glacier. Soon, about 300-odd troops were positioned on the strategically important peaks and passes of the glacier. By the time the Pakistan army reacted by advancing its own troops, the Indian Army was occupying strategically crucial mountain peaks and passes. Outcome: India gained a significant tactical advantage against Pakistan in the region. 7. Operation Vijay (1999 Kargil conflict) Operation Vijay was the codename for the Indian military operation launched in May 1999 to reclaim areas occupied by Pakistani forces during the Kargil War. The operation successfully forced Pakistani troops to withdraw and recapture critical positions, leading to India's victory. 8. Operation Safed Sagar (1999 Kargil conflict) Operation Safed Sagar was the codename for the Indian Air Force's role in the 1999 Kargil War. It involved a series of airstrikes to flush out Pakistani troops from Indian positions in the Kargil sector along the Line of Control. This was the first large-scale use of air power in the region since the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Outcome: India successfully regained all strategic heights in Kargil. 8. Unnamed operation (2016 surgical strikes) This operation, conducted by Indian special forces in response to the Uri attack, was not given any specific name other than surgical strikes. It targeted terrorist launch pads across the LoC in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Outcome: Marked a shift toward proactive counter-terror operations. 9. Operation Bandar (2019 Balakot air strikes) This was in response to the February 2019 attack by operatives of the Jaish-e-Mohammed on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 soldiers. Under Operation Bandar, the Indian Air Force carried out air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, where it claimed to have killed several terrorists.
