Just a few hours ago the Indian Armed Forces carried out Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror-linked sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), India has placed its air defence units on high alert along the western border. The activation comes amid heightened military tensions and potential retaliatory threats from Pakistan.

According to defence officials, surface-to-air missile systems, including Akash and Spyder batteries, have been deployed at key strategic locations in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu regions. Radar surveillance has also been intensified to monitor any unauthorized aerial activity near the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.

Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22, was described by the Ministry of Defence as a “measured and non-escalatory” action. The nine sites targeted were reportedly involved in the training and coordination of militants who have executed attacks within Indian territory.

Despite India’s cautious messaging, the possibility of escalation remains high. Pakistan’s recent military exercises near the LoC and deployment of Chinese-made SH-15 howitzers have added to regional unease. In response, India’s air defence command has been instructed to maintain round-the-clock readiness.

Officials emphasized that India is not seeking further conflict, but is prepared to respond to any provocation. The Indian Air Force and Army are closely coordinating with intelligence agencies to preempt any cross-border threats.

In a calibrated yet forceful response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor early Tuesday morning, targeting key terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The precision strikes, announced by the Ministry of Defence, were carried out against nine specific sites identified as operational bases for cross-border terror groups.

The operation follows the April 22 attack in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national, most of them non-Muslim tourists. According to Indian intelligence, the perpetrators belonged to Pakistan-based groups and were heavily armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s. The assault sparked nationwide outrage and raised urgent concerns about security preparedness in the region.

“Operation Sindoor was a focused, measured, and non-escalatory strike,” said an official statement from the Ministry. “We took great care to avoid targeting Pakistani military installations and focused solely on locations linked to terrorist activities,” it added, stressing India’s intent to address the threat without provoking broader conflict.

The Ministry noted that the nine targeted sites had direct connections to past and planned attacks, including the Pahalgam incident. Preliminary intelligence suggests the operation achieved high-impact tactical objectives without civilian casualties.

In the wake of the Pahalgam massacre, which exposed a critical lapse in security coordination, India moved swiftly to shore up domestic and cross-border counterterrorism strategies. The attack came just two months after the valley was prematurely opened to tourists, a decision that officials now admit lacked adequate security oversight.

Operation Sindoor is being compared to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, launched after the Pulwama attack. However, analysts highlight a significant shift in India’s approach. “Unlike Balakot, which drew criticism for its limited tactical effect, Operation Sindoor is being framed as a more precise and intelligence-driven retaliation,” said defence analyst Lt. Gen. (Retd.) R.S. Panag.

Tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) had already been simmering in recent weeks, with Pakistan conducting military exercises and deploying newly acquired Chinese SH-15 155mm self-propelled howitzers near forward positions. Ceasefire violations had also seen a noticeable uptick in early May.

The operation follows closely on the heels of another significant diplomatic milestone — the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a former Pakistan Army officer and a key figure in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His transfer to India from the U.S. had already aggravated tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the Pahalgam attack triggered rare unity in Kashmir’s political and civilian response. Protests and shutdowns in Srinagar, Pulwama, and Anantnag denounced the violence, with demonstrators asserting that the attack violated the spirit of Kashmiriyat — the region’s traditional ethos of communal harmony.

India convened an all-party meeting on April 24, underlining its intent to forge national consensus on counterterrorism. Opposition leaders were briefed on the evolving situation and assured of transparency in the government’s next steps.

As Operation Sindoor’s details continue to emerge, global stakeholders are closely watching whether the action will lead to further escalation or open a path toward de-escalation. India has reiterated its resolve to act firmly yet responsibly, emphasizing that its fight is against terrorism — not the people or the state of Pakistan.

A full briefing by the Ministry of Defence is expected later today, outlining operational details and next steps in India’s evolving security strategy.

In a vibrant celebration of youth excellence and leadership, the Eastern Command of the Indian Army hosted the NCC Best Cadets Award Ceremony 2025 at the Albert Ekka Auditorium, Vijay Durg, Kolkata. The event, held under the empowering theme of #ShashaktYuva, recognized outstanding cadets from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) units across West Bengal, Sikkim, and the North Eastern Region.

Presided over by Lieutenant General RC Tiwari, Army Commander of the Eastern Command, the ceremony honored cadets who have demonstrated exemplary dedication, discipline, and leadership. In his keynote address, Lt Gen Tiwari lauded the NCC’s vital role in nation-building and youth development, highlighting its impact on nurturing “selfless leadership, strong values, and a #NationFirst mindset.”

The coveted Best Cadet Awards 2025 were presented to Senior Wing (SW) Air Cadet Jyoti Halder and Senior Division (SD) Army Cadet Rupam Baidya, both from the West Bengal & Sikkim Directorate, in recognition of their exceptional performance across training, academics, and service.

Alongside individual recognitions, rolling trophies were awarded to top-performing NCC units, celebrating their collective achievements. The ceremony featured a formal parade inspection, certificate distribution, and an interactive session where cadets engaged directly with senior Army officers, strengthening the bonds of mentorship and camaraderie.

With cadets proudly donning their ceremonial uniforms, the event reflected the diversity, unity, and spirit of service that define the NCC. A special emphasis was placed on women empowerment through the #NaariShakti initiative, as several female cadets were celebrated for their excellence and leadership potential.

The NCC Directorate of West Bengal & Sikkim, headquartered in New Alipore, Kolkata, currently supervises 54 units across 267 colleges and 841 schools, boasting an active enrollment of over 1,01,278 cadets. The ceremony highlighted the Directorate’s critical role in shaping confident and disciplined citizens committed to national service.

Set in the historic Albert Ekka Auditorium, named after the Param Vir Chakra awardee, the ceremony concluded with a collective pledge to continue fostering youth leadership, discipline, and patriotic values. The Indian Army reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to building a strong, capable, and united future through platforms like the NCC.

Capt Prashanth V of the Indian Armed Forces Medical Services was felicitated by Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), for his exceptional achievements during the prestigious Health Officers Basic Course held in Victoria, Australia, from April 18 to May 3, 2025. Capt Prashanth emerged as the top performer in the program, securing a perfect 100% score across all modules of the rigorous international training.

The course, designed to enhance the operational readiness and clinical acumen of military health professionals, covers advanced medical care, emergency response, leadership, and cross-agency coordination. Conducted in collaboration with institutions such as the Victoria Police Academy, it represents a key step in India’s broader push to integrate global best practices into its military healthcare systems.

In addition to his academic distinction, Capt Prashanth was commended for his courageous act during a public event in Australia, where he successfully resuscitated an elderly woman who had collapsed. His swift response, under pressure and outside a clinical setting, demonstrated the real-world value of the training and his dedication to the service of humanity beyond the battlefield.

Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, who took charge as DGAFMS in late 2024, praised Capt Prashanth as a role model for military medical professionals. “His stellar performance and life-saving intervention highlight the calibre of our medical officers and the importance of international collaboration in skill development,” she said at the award ceremony, which was attended by senior representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Integrated Defence Staff.

This recognition not only marks a personal milestone for Capt Prashanth but also reinforces the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to excellence, compassion, and global engagement in medical preparedness and humanitarian response.