‘Operation Sindoor’ Delivers Elusive Deterrence for India

India’s Strikes Rattle Islamabad and Lahore, Signaling a New Era

By Manish Anand

NEW DELHI, May 7, 2025 – Pakistan’s signals of de-escalation following India’s precision strikes on terror sanctuaries in the early hours of Wednesday underscore the decisive impact of ‘Operation Sindoor.’ As Islamabad’s attempts to spin ‘fake news’ for prestige falter, New Delhi has delivered a powerful message, redefining the India-Pakistan dynamic.

A CNN report from Islamabad described the visceral impact of India’s strikes, noting that the house of a photographer in the capital trembled from the blasts. “Explosions echoed in Lahore as well, with buildings in Islamabad shaking from India’s precision attacks,” the report stated, highlighting the operation’s reach into Pakistan’s heartland.

‘Operation Sindoor,’ targeting nine terror hubs, instilled fear among residents of Islamabad and Lahore, demonstrating India’s military prowess. Unlike the post-Pulwama surgical strike, confined to terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), this operation struck deep into Pakistan’s Punjab province. A CNN correspondent in Islamabad noted that the strikes dwarfed the scale of the 2019 Balakot operation.

Pakistan’s political establishment appears rattled. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened an urgent session of the National Assembly, while the country’s stock market plummeted over six percent, reflecting economic jitters. In contrast, India’s markets traded with modest gains, signaling confidence in New Delhi’s strategic move.

Geopolitical analysts highlight several tactical victories for India. First, Pakistan now faces the reality that rebuilding terror infrastructure will provoke even deadlier Indian reprisals. Second, the Pakistani military risks losing credibility with its citizens, potentially empowering the political class to challenge its dominance. Third, the economic toll of antagonizing India could push Pakistan toward financial collapse, with China unlikely to jeopardize its $100 billion trade surplus with India to bail out its ally.

For years, experts argued that India lacked true deterrence against Pakistan, even after the Balakot strikes. ‘Operation Sindoor’ appears to have achieved that elusive goal, establishing a new threshold for India’s response to terrorism. Crucially, India has challenged Western calls for restraint in the face of terror attacks, aligning its approach with Israel’s model of punitive strikes. This marks a bold new normal for New Delhi’s security doctrine.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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