Operation Sindoor Declassified: How India Planned For Pakistan’s Retaliation & Kept The Strikes Secret

Operation Sindoor, a recently declassified military operation by India, reveals the meticulous planning and secrecy that went into retaliating against Pakistan's retaliation following the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian military leadership had anticipated a strong response from Pakistan and took steps to ensure that every possible retaliation scenario was war-gamed in advance.

Colonel Ashish Upreti, Director of Strategic Communication, described Pakistan's approach to information warfare as industrial-scale, making it crucial for India to demonstrate the strikes independently through real-time visual evidence. The decision to launch the strikes was made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 1, with the operation scheduled to begin between 1 am and 2 am on May 7.

The timing was kept under exceptionally tight wraps, with the date conveyed through a small paper chit instead of digital or telephone communication. The decision to conduct the strikes at night was driven by the need to preserve surprise and maximize the chances of hitting the intended targets. The military also war-gamed the possibility of Pakistani retaliation from the outset, preparing Indian forces for any escalation immediately after the strikes.

The operation was named Operation Sindoor by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, inspired by the sindoor of women whose husbands had been killed in the terror attack.