NEW DELHI — As the dust settles, a week after India’s 'Operation Sindoor', the
quantum of losses and devastation on the Pakistani side is beginning to emerge,
spotlighting how it was made to pay a heavy price for abetting and sponsoring
terrorism in the Indian territory.
Latest reports, citing top sources claim that Pakistan
air force has suffered severe losses, with 20 per cent of its infrastructure
destroyed in Indian strikes.
Many of its fighter jets have been destroyed while more
than 30-40 of its armymen are understood to have succumbed.
The 'Operation Sindoor' started on May 7, with India
launching calculated, calibrated and measured strikes on terror hubs in
Pakistan as well as Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, however, the Pakistani
establishment considered it an attack on its own and made failed attempts to
target Indian military and civilian structures with its drones and missiles in
India.
Responding to this, Indian armed forces launched
aggressive strikes, bombing many of Pakistan's airbases with indigenous and
Israeli weapons.
India targeted at least 10-11 airbases in Pakistan, many
of whom are known to host the country’s key fighter jets. The strikes caused
severe damages, destroying ammunition depots and airbases such as Sargodha and
Bholari, where the PAF’s F-16 and J-17 fighter aircraft were said to be
stationed.
Many of Pakistani fighter jets were destroyed while 50
individuals including Squadron Leader Usman Yusuf along with four airmen, were
killed in the strike on the Bholari airbase in Jamshoro district of Sindh.
Pakistan Army also admitted on Tuesday that 11 of its
military service personnel died and over 70 were injured in last week's
conflict with India over the Pahalgam terror attack.
Indian Armed forces, however, stated on record that 35-40
Pakistani armymen were killed in strikes, from May 7 to May 10.
Top government officials have revealed that besides
destruction of 20 per cent of Pakistan’s air force assets, the strikes also
damaged Pakistan’s fighter jets, including the China-made JF-17.
India targeted military installations and the airbases of
Nur Khan in Chaklala, Rafiqui in Shorkot, Murid in Chakwal, Sukkur, Sialkot,
Pasrur, Chunian, Sargodha, Skardu, Bholari and Jacobabad.
The satellite images are showing the scale of destruction
at many airbases including Shahbaz airbase in Jacobabad.
High-resolution satellite images reveal damages inflicted
on mutiple airbases in Sukkur (Sindh), Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Rahim Yar Khan
(southern Punjab), Mushaf in Sargodha, Jacobabad (northern Sindh), and Bholari
(northern Thatta district).
In the satellite imagery, large craters on the runways
and damaged aircraft hangars were seen.
How India gained from Operation Sindoor:
For India, Operation Sindoor marked a paradigm shift in
its response to acts of terror and also revealed a new doctrine in the country’s
counter-terrorism operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi categorically stated that
this will be treated as the new normal and any misadventures from Pakistani
side will see bigger reprisal.
India not only destroyed nine high-value terror launchpads
linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen but also hit
deep into Pakistan’s heartland, highlighting that the acts of terror will not
go unpunished now.
Strategic locations like Bahalwapur and Mudrike were
targeted, signalling India’s resolve to hit targets deep inside Pakistan if the
latter doesn’t stop nurturing terrorists on its soil.
'Operation Sindoor' signaled a doctrinal shift in India’s
strategy and also underlined a new red line that Pakistan could no longer
ignore.
The 23-minute mission demonstrated India’s air defence
capabilities and exposed significant gaps in Pakistan’s air defence network,
which was either bypassed or neutralised.
India’s air defence system also proved its mettle before
the world, as no Pakistani projectile or missile could reach intended targets.
'Operation Sindoor' also sent a global message that India
will decide on its matters, even if it includes vapourising terror targets in
another country and it wouldn’t allow any foreign power’s intervention in the
matter.
Therefore, in contrast to previous conflicts, where India
was urged to show restraint, this time the world’s leading powers largely
expressed support for India’s right to defend its citizens and territory.
'Operation Sindoor' also helped consolidate India’s
narrative around Kashmir. For the first time, the Kashmir issue was
de-hyphenated from India’s right to act against terror as Prime Minister stated
in clear terms that talks with Pakistan could happen only on two issues –
terrorism and return of PoK.
