India-Pakistan tensions have surged to a boiling point after India’s military strikes on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians, comprising primarily tourists, lost their lives. In retaliatory action, Indian armed forces made targeted missile attacks in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during the early hours of Wednesday, May 7.
Conducted under the flag of Operation Sindoor, the raids targeted 21 terror camps located in nine various places. The attacks were ‘focused, measured, and non-escalatory’, as stated by the government, with the aim that no military bases were targeted.
What Triggered the Operation
The offensive was initiated following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s firm declaration to “identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers.” Two of the key targets included Jaish-e-Mohammad’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Markaz Taiba in Muridke both suspected of harbouring terrorists involved in planning attacks against India.
NSA Doval’s Strategy
The strategy for Operation Sindoor was conceptualized by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He constituted a special team that obtained comprehensive intelligence about terror activities throughout Pakistan and PoK. The team located new hideouts and had 24/7 coverage to track movement and possible changes in these camps.
After the intelligence was pooled, NSA Doval briefed PM Modi and underscored that only terror camps would be attacked to cause the least collateral damage, according to a report by News18. The Prime Minister approved and reviewed the plan after which Doval sat with his team again to sharpen the implementation.
The Role of NTRO
The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) was the key player in the operation. Responsible for terminal intelligence gathering, the NTRO works directly under the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Security Council, headed by NSA Doval.
Formed after the 1999 Kargil War and formally organized in 2004, the NTRO processes signals and imagery intelligence, cyber surveillance, and technology support for primary agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). It was placed under the Intelligence Organisations (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1985, in 2017 and brought its procedures in line with those of IB and R&AW.
NTRO also undertakes geospatial mapping and analysis and collaborates with organizations such as ISRO, DRDO, and the National Informatics Centre. The organization has played key roles in previous security operations such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Balakot airstrikes, Galwan clash, and prevention of cyberattacks on sensitive infrastructure.
Execution and Aftermath
After strategic planning and clearance, a control room was established under NSA Doval’s supervision. Between 1.05 am and 1.30 am on May 7, the Indian troops carried out the operation.
The strikes were reportedly carried out as retaliation for the brutal terror attack in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. The assailants, dressed in camouflage, executed the assault with chilling precision. Responsibility was later claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reported that at least 100 terrorists were neutralized during the strikes, a report he made in an all-party meeting.
