Locking in the gains of Operation Sindoor

After the success of Operation Sindoor and the reports that terrorist groups in Pakistan might be changing and dispersing their hideouts, the chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, has emphasised that the IAF would continue to destroy the hideouts using precision targeting. “We can destroy them and their hideouts,” Singh said, “Our options will remain the same in this matter.”

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Given the demonstrated success of precision targeting during Operation Sindoor, the [AF chief rightly wants to stick to the proven formula of using guided bombs and Cruise missiles that hit ground targets with great accuracy. However, the political and military leadership must account for some learning by the adversary and make plans to lock in the advantages secured during Operation Sindoor. India mustalso assume that Pakistan would receive the requisite assistance from China and the US to overturn India’s current advantages. Therefore, India must make the following short-term, medium-term, and long-term steps to sustain the ability to hit ground targets in Pakistan accurately.