National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval has delivered a clear and unambiguous message to Islamabad that India will strike hard against its adversaries, and consequences will not be a deterrent to action. The remark from NSA Doval marks one of the most candid articulations yet of India’s evolving deterrence posture, as seen in the form of Operation Sindoor in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.The NSA’s central argument is straightforward, that deterrence only works when backed by demonstrating a willingness to act. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 with precision strikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, was designed to prove exactly that. The action was carried out in response to the deadly terror attack carried out against unarmed tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir.Notably, during the opening act of the operation India ensured that no Pakistani military or civilian facility was targeted. This distinction was made to demonstrate control rather than restraint born out of hesitation.“Message to the world is very clear – India’s generosity or India being tolerant should not be mistaken for its weakness. India can take risks, India can hit hard, irrespective of the consequences,” he added while speaking about Operation Sindoor for a documentary that is to be aired on the Discovery channel.India initiated punitive strikes against terror infrastructure in response to terror attacks, but Pakistan hit back militarily targeting civilians and the military alike. In response New Delhi hit back targeting Pakistani military capability. As Pakistan escalated the conflict with the use of artillery, drones and missiles across the frontier from Gujarat to Kashmir, India hit back, dismantling Pakistan’s air defence weapons, radar sites and then finally struck Pakistani air bases. Forcing Pakistan to sue for peace, thereby ending the 88-hour conflict.Operation Sindoor demolished Pakistan’s nuclear bluff. India demonstrated that it has plenty of options under the nuclear threshold. The conflict also demonstrated to the Pakistanis that airbases or any other target can be hit in any part of that country. With defence minister Rajnath Singh himself stating that each and every part of Pakistan is within the range of the Brahmos missile.At the same time, Pakistan was not able to target any Indian air base or military target of significance. Many of their strikes blunted by Indian air defences, including one ballistic weapon strike that was shot down over the Sira air base. Thus by the end of hostilities on May 10th, India had demonstrated its military superiority over Pakistan.
