Ram Kumar Kaushik/ New Delhi

In a demonstration of military capability and strategic clarity, India has asserted unprecedented air dominance over Pakistan, fundamentally altering the regional security calculus. The Indian Air Force (IAF) executed precision strikes on multiple Pakistani Air Force (PAF) bases and terror infrastructure, sending shockwaves across Islamabad’s military establishment and exposing the fragility of Pakistan’s much-touted “nuclear shield.”

Calibrated Precision: From Retaliation to Dominance

According to senior government sources, the IAF strikes were not merely retaliatory actions but part of a meticulously planned operation designed to establish air superiority and dismantle Pakistan’s strategic depth. “The scale and sophistication of the IAF strikes on multiple PAF bases have left Pakistan’s strategic nerve centres in disarray,” one official told this publication. “The damage in some bases is staggering. Pakistan was left completely at the mercy of the Indian Air Force.”

This marks a doctrinal shift for India, signalling that any act of terrorism emanating from Pakistan will now be treated as an act of war. The new message is clear: Terror attack = Act of War. From Rawalpindi to Lahore, Indian strikes crippled 10 airbases, destroyed key terror hubs including Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba facilities, and eliminated over 100 militants. These operations penetrated deep into Pakistani territory, not just across the Line of Control (LoC) or in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The Nuclear Myth Shattered

Perhaps the most defining aspect of the operation is how it dismantled the long-standing myth of Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence. Contrary to international expectations that nuclear escalation would deter Indian action, New Delhi climbed the escalation ladder decisively. The U.S. reportedly sought an “off-ramp” for Pakistan—an exit strategy to de-escalate tensions. However, as The New York Times reported, “Modi denies off-ramp to Pakistan.” India stood firm, offering no face-saving measures. Pakistan was forced to absorb the cost of its actions.

According to strategic experts, the IAF’s strike on Kirana Hills, a site long believed to house Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile, added a new layer of complexity. Located just 10 km from Sargodha Air Base—home to Pakistan’s F-16 fleet—and within 50 km of the Khushab Nuclear Plant, Kirana Hills is central to Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure. The strike indicates that India can—and will—target such high-value assets if provoked.

Economic and Diplomatic Offensive

India has also chosen this moment to assert control over the Indus Waters. In a strategic economic manoeuvre, New Delhi has signalled that the Indus Water Treaty will now be contingent upon Pakistan’s behaviour. The government plans to fast-track hydroelectric projects and water infrastructure that had long been delayed. “Pakistan can’t do anything about it. It’s helpless,” an official source added.

On the diplomatic front, India refused any third-party mediation. “No talks with Pakistan at a third-party location while India’s fight against terror continues,” a senior government source clarified. The government rebuffed reports suggesting imminent talks facilitated by the U.S., further reiterating its stand that terror and dialogue cannot go hand in hand.

A Message to Pakistan—and China

Analysts point out that India’s military campaign also served as a proving ground against Chinese-supplied Pakistani military hardware. “We weren’t just fighting Pakistan; we were fighting Chinese weapons systems. That experience is valuable, especially as we remain in a standoff with China,” a defence expert noted.

The strikes also exposed weaknesses in Pakistan’s air defence systems and military preparedness. Drone incursions into major cities, precision bombing, and successful neutralization of retaliatory drones and missiles highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability. “If Pakistan’s puffed-up generals cannot even protect Punjab—the heartland of their military recruitment—why should they dominate national life?” asked one retired Indian Army officer.

New Strategic Normal

India has set a new precedent. The strikes redefine the strategic equation in Indian subcontinent. Islamabad’s long-standing use of non-state actors as strategic assets has now been met with a state-level punitive doctrine. No propaganda, no diplomatic shielding, and certainly no nuclear bluff can now insulate Pakistan from decisive Indian response.

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With this operation Sindoor, India has not only responded to terror but fundamentally altered the regional rules of engagement—introducing a doctrine of escalatory dominance backed by unmatched precision and political resolve.