Pakistan Needed Just 50 Missiles to Crumble: IAF Vice Chief

Quick Summary

• Indian Armed Forces Response: During May 7-10 hostilities, the Indian Army fired approximately 30,000 artillery and mortar shells and over 3 lakh small arms rounds across the Line of Control (loc) in retaliation to Pakistan’s ceasefire violations.
• Operation Sindoor: The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted precision strikes on nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) using fewer than 50 air-launched weapons. Strikes targeted Pakistani airbases, radar sites, terror infrastructure, and command structures.
• IAF Strategy: Fighters like Sukhoi-30MKI, Rafale, and Mirage-2000 launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles along with Rampage, Scalp, and othre precision-guided munitions during these strikes.
• Conflict Outcome: By mid-day on May 10th,Pakistani forces reportedly sought a ceasefire. IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari emphasized that India achieved conflict resolution with minimal collateral damage while showcasing strategic deterrence.
• Political Directive: Clear directives were provided to armed forces to ensure effective punitive action while minimizing collateral damage; operational freedom was ensured for commanders.
• Pahalgam Terror Incident Context: Northern Command chief Lt-General Pratik Sharma blamed Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir for inciting terrorism prior to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre by calling Kashmir “Pakistan’s jugular vein.”

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The recent Operation Sindoor highlights India’s continued emphasis on measured military responses designed around precision targeting rather than escalation narratives. By employing a limited number of strategically placed air-launched weapons alongside heavy artillery retaliations through ground forces, India has displayed its capacity for calibrated deterrence without ample collateral repercussions.

The dual approach – involving both political clarity and operational autonomy granted to armed forces – appears to have bolstered India’s readiness against adversarial provocations significantly. additionally, this operation may add weight to India’s broader counter-terror narrative by highlighting how calibrated strikes can dismantle terrorist infrastructure across borders.

However,such events underscore persistent tensions at the LoC despite existing mechanisms like ceasefires.Sustained peace along the border will require consistent diplomatic efforts alongside military vigilance against emerging threats fueled by provocative rhetoric or state-supported entities.

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