India’s Operation Sindoor: Bold Retaliation, Global Message
India’s bold Operation Sindoor, backed by ex-Afghan VP Amrullah Saleh, sends a decisive message to Pakistan and the global community. Discover the unprecedented strategy behind the strikes and the rising call for accountability.
India’s Operation Sindoor: Bold Retaliation, Global Message
In a dramatic turn following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 Indians dead, India launched a swift and precision military operation named Operation Sindoor—a move that has since reverberated across geopolitical circles. Among the loudest voices backing the strike is Afghanistan’s former Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who lauded the response as “bold” and “unprecedented,” while slamming Pakistan’s dismissive rhetoric.
A Decisive Move After Pahalgam: India Shifts Strategy
On April 22, the quiet town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir was shattered by one of the deadliest attacks in recent years. The Indian government wasted little time. In the early hours of a moonless night, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor—a 25-minute targeted airstrike on nine terror-linked locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The targets were reportedly connected to notorious terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the operation was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory.” No Pakistani military facilities were hit, underscoring India’s attempt to maintain a strategic and proportional response. The symbolism of the operation’s name, Sindoor—the red vermilion worn by married Hindu women—carried emotional weight, suggesting both mourning and resilience.
Saleh Speaks Out: “Anything but Cowardly”
Amrullah Saleh, who has long been a vocal critic of Pakistan’s support for terror networks, wasted no time in endorsing India’s strike. Taking to social media, Saleh dismissed Pakistan’s characterization of the operation as “cowardly.” “What India executed was anything but cowardly—it was a courageous, forthright strike,” he declared.
Saleh cleverly referenced an earlier metaphor, saying India had chosen to “place a long rope around its enemy’s neck” instead of opting for an electric chair. With the precision targeting of nine key sites, he claimed, “India has tightened the rope by nine knots.” It was a pointed message: calculated, strategic pressure was India’s new counter-terrorism playbook.
“I Wish I Had That Capability”: Saleh Reflects on Afghanistan
Saleh, who once served as the acting president of Afghanistan after the Taliban seized Kabul in 2021, used the moment to reflect on missed opportunities in his own country. “I wish I had such capability under my command when the Quetta Shura was active,” he said, referring to the Taliban’s leadership council based in Pakistan.
He questioned why the United States and NATO, with all their might and resources, never launched similar targeted strikes against high-value terror targets in the region. The implication was clear: had such bold actions been taken earlier, the political and security landscape in South Asia might look very different today.
Operation Sindoor: A Global Signal Beyond Borders
India’s operation has not gone unnoticed. While the government officially maintained that its objective was to dismantle terror networks and not provoke escalation, the precision and timing of the strike sent a broader message—to both its neighbors and the global community. It signaled a shift from reactive defense to proactive deterrence.
Security experts are already debating whether Operation Sindoor marks the beginning of a new strategic doctrine for India. “This is a clear signal that India will no longer allow cross-border terrorism to go unanswered,” said Major General (Retd.) Ashok Mehta, a defense analyst. “It’s also a subtle warning to any nation that harbors or enables terror infrastructure.”
What’s Next: Will the World Finally Isolate Terror Enablers?
Saleh’s remarks highlight a long-standing frustration shared by many nations affected by terrorism: the lack of international accountability for state-sponsored actors. Despite ample intelligence and repeated global warnings, key terror safe havens remain untouched. With India now taking matters into its own hands, calls for stronger international sanctions and global action against Pakistan-based terror groups are likely to intensify.
The world is watching, and perhaps, finally listening. Whether this operation becomes a turning point in the regional war on terror or just another chapter in a prolonged struggle remains to be seen.
Conclusion: Courage Over Complacency
Operation Sindoor has redefined India’s approach to counter-terrorism with a blend of restraint and resolve. Amrullah Saleh’s strong endorsement, drawn from both experience and frustration, adds weight to the operation’s geopolitical implications. As India tightens its “rope,” it sets a precedent for other democracies grappling with cross-border threats. The question now isn’t whether India will act—but whether the world will follow.
Disclaimer:
This article is a journalistic reinterpretation of publicly available information. It reflects the statements and opinions of public figures and aims to provide balanced insights. The content does not endorse violence and supports peaceful resolution in accordance with international law.
source : The Financial Express