Operation Sindoor: How NSA Ajit Doval planned, oversaw India's strong response to Pakistan-based terror

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. (File/Reuters)

Indian armed forces on Wednesday carried out precision strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The operation, codenamed 'Operation Sindoor', launched in the wee hours today and monitored and approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came 15 days after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam where terrorists backed by Pakistan killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.

India's precision strikes, launched precisely at 12.37 AM, launched targeted strikes at locations including Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base Muridke in what has been the biggest such operation by Indian forces since the Balakot air strikes in 2019.

As per government sources, the operation, before receiving PM Modi's go-ahead, was commanded by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who put together a focused team to gather vital intelligence on the locations and activities of terror groups in PoK and within Pakistan.

This team was responsible for identifying and monitoring new hideouts of terrorist outfits and ensured accuracy in locating each of the nine targets struck by Indian forces. This special team maintained round-the-clock surveillance over these locations, keeping a sharp eye on any movements or potential changes in the camps.

Having devised an elaborate plan of attack in coordination with the armed forces, NSA Doval met PM Modi and briefed him about the details. Following extensive discussions, it was decided that India's actions would be limited to taking out terrorist hideouts and refrain from targeting military or civilian infrastructure, thus ensuring minimal collateral damage.

Armed with the go-ahead from the top political leadership, the NSA met his team and fine-tuned the plan of action following the Prime Minister's inputs. The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) was also roped in and given a pivotal role in gathering the final intelligence needed for the operation’s success, CNN-News18 reported citing sources.

With the final plan ready, NSA Doval called on PM Modi once again and secured the final go-ahead from him. A small group of select individuals was briefed on the operation and a control room was established under the direct command of NSA Ajit Doval.

At 12.37 AM on Wednesday, the Indian fighter jets launched a precise attack on the terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK, with nine key locations being obliterated within minutes.

"Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families. Nine terrorist camps were targeted and successfully destroyed... The locations were so selected to avoid damage to civilian infrastructures and loss of any civilian lives," Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force said at a press briefing on Wednesday.