New Delhi— Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General Air Operations, reaffirmed on Monday that Operation Sindoor was a calibrated and precise counter-terrorism operation, specifically targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Speaking at a high-level media briefing in New Delhi, Bharti clarified that the mission, launched on May 7, was not an act of aggression against Pakistan’s military or civilian population, but a necessary retaliation to the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, including one Nepali national.
“Our fight is with the terrorists, not the Pakistan military or civilians. That distinction guides our targeting approach,” said Bharti, asserting the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to maintaining moral and strategic clarity even in conflict situations. He detailed that nine specific locations were chosen for the operation, with each strike designed to deliver maximum impact with zero collateral damage.
Emphasizing the sophistication of the mission, Bharti said the operation demonstrated India’s technological edge and strategic discipline, highlighting the use of indigenous counter-drone systems and heightened synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. “Our systems and personnel have proven fully capable. The outcomes speak for themselves—you’ve witnessed the consequences of our readiness,” he said.
Bharti also projected a shift in modern warfare, cautioning that future conflicts would be vastly different from traditional wars. Describing them as fast-evolving “cat-and-mouse” scenarios, he stressed the need for continuous innovation and strategic foresight to stay ahead of emerging threats. “If, God forbid, another war comes, it will be nothing like the past. The battlefield is evolving fast, and we must stay a step ahead to counter any threat,” he concluded.