The Biggest Military Lesson From Operation Sindoor Wasn’t Air Power-It Was Missiles

Twenty-six civilians lost their lives in the Pahalgam Attack on April 22, 2025. The tragedy triggered a chain of events that ultimately culminated in Operation Sindoor, one of the most complex conventional military operations undertaken by India in recent decades. While the operation’s immediate objective was punitive action against terror-linked infrastructure and military targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, its strategic consequences continue to reverberate within India’s defence establishment. The opening phase of Operation Sindoor began on May 7 with coordinated strikes against nine targets. Conducted during the night and lasting approximately 26 minutes, the operation showcased India’s…