What were the key objectives of Operation Sindoor

Key Objectives of Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, with a clear set of objectives that signaled a strategic shift in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine. The operation’s goals were military, political, and psychological in nature: Destruction of Terrorist Infrastructure: The primary military objective was to dismantle and destroy terrorist camps and infrastructure located deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This included precision strikes on nine major terror hubs, neutralizing over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets. Raising the Cost of Cross-Border Terrorism: Politically, Operation Sindoor aimed to raise the cost for Pakistan of supporting and sponsoring terrorism. This involved not only military retaliation but also diplomatic and economic measures, such as suspending the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan ends its support for cross-border terrorism. Establishing a New Deterrence Paradigm: The operation was designed to set a “new normal” in India’s response to terrorism, making it clear that any future attacks would trigger swift, visible, and proportionate retaliation. This new doctrine rejected the previous distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors, holding both accountable. Psychological Impact and Strategic Messaging: Operation Sindoor sent a strong psychological message to both Pakistan and the international community that India would not tolerate state-sponsored terrorism. The strikes demonstrated that no place was safe for terrorists or their backers, even in Pakistan’s heartland, and that India was willing to act decisively and preemptively if intelligence indicated imminent threats. Avoiding Civilian Casualties: The operation was carefully planned to avoid targeting civilians, focusing exclusively on terror infrastructure and military assets supporting terrorism, in contrast to Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes that targeted civilian areas in India. In summary, Operation Sindoor’s key objectives were to destroy terror infrastructure, escalate the cost of terrorism for Pakistan, establish a new strategic deterrence, send a powerful psychological message, and avoid civilian harm-thereby reshaping the security paradigm in the region. Related What were the main military targets hit during Operation Sindoor How did Operation Sindoor change India's approach to counter-terrorism What psychological impact did Operation Sindoor have on Pakistan How did the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty affect Pakistan's stance on terrorism What was the significance of Prime Minister Modi's instructions to the armed forces.