In a display of overwhelming aerial superiority, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed Operation Sindoor, a precision offensive that “blinded, numbed, and paralysed” the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) within just four days, according to top defence sources involved in the operation. The mission has reportedly set back Pakistan’s air defence capabilities by at least five years, compelling Islamabad to seek a ceasefire by May 10.
Using a sophisticated mix of air-launched cruise missiles, long-range stand-off weapons, and loitering munitions, the IAF initiated surgical strikes targeting Pakistan’s terror hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke on May 6-7. Pakistan responded with missile attacks on Indian military targets, but these were effectively neutralised by India’s multi-layered air defence network.
In response, India systematically neutralised Pakistan’s radar and air defence installations, especially in Punjab province. At least 4–5 radar stations and a Chinese-origin missile launcher site were destroyed using Harop and Harpy loitering munitions, creating massive surveillance gaps in Pakistan’s defensive coverage.
On May 9, India escalated operations, targeting Pakistan’s key command and control (C2) centres at Chaklala, Sargodha, and Murid air bases. These facilities, which served as nerve centres for coordinating Pakistan’s air defence and battlefield awareness, were destroyed using Rampage, Scalp, and other high-speed cruise missiles launched by Rafales, Mirages, Su-30s, and MiG-29s.
The obliteration of these centres resulted in complete communication breakdowns, forcing PAF aircraft to operate cautiously deep within Pakistani airspace—sometimes even hiding behind civilian air traffic.
When Pakistan attempted to retaliate with Turkish and Chinese drones, India’s integrated air defence systems—including indigenous Akash, Sudarshan S-400, and even legacy systems like Pechora and OSA-AK—intercepted and neutralised most of the threats. Many of the Pakistani weapons were described as low-quality, with some missiles found intact on Indian soil and retrieved by civilians.
The Sudarshan S-400 reportedly played a pivotal role, intercepting multiple aerial threats and potentially setting new benchmarks in long-range target engagement.
By May 10, India launched deep strikes on key Pakistani air bases in Sargodha, Rafiqui, Rahimyarkhan, Jacobabad, Bholari, and even a cantonment in Karachi, using long-range precision weapons. The Bholari base, which housed critical assets like the Saab 200 AEW&C aircraft and several Western-origin jets, suffered massive damage. Indian satellites and AWACS monitored the strikes in real-time.
At some bases, runways were targeted with multiple missile strikes, grounding aircraft for hours and further crippling Pakistan’s ability to retaliate.
According to sources, Operation Sindoor was designed not just for tactical success but to instill “decision paralysis” in the PAF. The overwhelming coordination between the IAF and Indian Army, which simultaneously engaged Pakistani positions in Jammu and Kashmir using artillery and rocket systems, intensified the pressure.
The magnitude of damage, evidenced by videos from Indian munitions’ tracking systems and visual proof from social media in Pakistan, was said to be comparable to or exceeding the Balakot strikes of 2019.
The sudden and relentless intensity of India’s aerial campaign reportedly forced Pakistan to initiate ceasefire talks by the morning of May 10. Pakistani defence leaders began backchannel communication with their Indian counterparts to de-escalate the situation.
Indian defence planners are currently analyzing technical data from the operation to formally assess the scale of success, but early estimates suggest that Pakistan’s air power capabilities have suffered a significant long-term setback.
In sum, Operation Sindoor served as a resounding demonstration of India’s evolved aerial warfare doctrine, showcasing a level of strategic depth, technological sophistication, and operational boldness that left Pakistan’s air defences crippled and reeling.
