From Meghdoot to Sindoor: India's big military actions against Pakistan in past

Operation Sindoor

From Pulwama to Pahalgam, India's message to Pakistan has always been loud and clear - terrorism won't be tolerated. And every time Pakistan has provoked, India has responded with force.

On Wednesday, the country woke up to news of airstrikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under ‘Operation Sindoor’ — a name given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself to avenge the killing of 26 Indians in Pahalgam. This was India’s first-ever tri-service military operation, involving the Army, Navy and Air Force.

At 1:44 am on May 6, 2025 - 15 days after the terror attack in Pahalgam - India launched precision strikes using SCALP missiles, HAMMER bombs, and loitering munitions. The nine targets included camps linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the recent Pahalgam massacre where 26 Indian men were killed.

Operation Bandar (2019)

In February 2019, days after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a suicide bombing in Pulwama, India responded with airstrikes deep inside Pakistan’s Balakot. Mirage 2000 jets crossed the LoC to target Jaish-e-Mohammed camps in India’s first cross-border strike since the 1971 war.

Uri Surgical Strike (2016)

Though it get a codename, the 2016 Uri surgical strike is still etched in memory. After 19 Indian soldiers were killed in a terror attack on an Army base in Uri, Indian Special Forces crossed the LoC on the night of September 28-29. They hit multiple terror launchpads and returned without a single casualty.

Operation Vijay (1999)

Launched in May 1999 during the Kargil conflict, the operation aimed to drive out Pakistani soldiers who had occupied Indian positions. It ended with India securing a victory.

Operation Safed Sagar (1999)

This was the Air Force’s role in the Kargil War. It marked the first major use of air power in the region since 1971, helping push back Pakistani troops from Indian territory.

Operation Meghdoot

Several years before the Kargil War, in 1984, there was conflict for control of the Siachen Glacier in Ladakh. Under Operation 'Meghdoot', India captured strategic positions, including Bilafond La and Sia La, and foiled Pakistani attempt to take control of the glacier.