‘Fewer Than 50 Weapons Fired To Bring Pakistan To Its Knees’: IAF Vice Chief On Op Sindoor

Last Updated:August 30, 2025, 16:20 IST

During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force hit nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, leading Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire after four days.

Operation Sindoor was intended to send a strong message to Pakistan without escalating into a broader conflict. (PTI)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) fired fewer than 50 weapons and missiles during Operation Sindoor to bring Pakistan to its knees and compel the neighbouring country to agree to a ceasefire, Vice Chief of the Indian Air Staff said on Saturday.

While speaking at NDTV Defence Summit, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari said that it was a big accomplishment for us that in less than 50 weapons, the Indian Defence Forces were able to achieve conflict elimination.

He further said that the IAF had a large number of target sets which they planned to strike in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but they eventually hit nine.

“From the list of options presented, we had a large number of target sets. And finally, we boiled down to nine. Key takeaway for us, that in less than 50 weapons, we were able to achieve conflict elimination. So this is the essential part which I want you to take away," Air Marshal Tiwari said at the Defence Summit.

He further said that it’s simple to begin a war, but much harder to finish one. “This was a crucial factor to consider when activating and deploying our forces, ensuring they were prepared for anything that might happen," he added.

The Air Marshal also praised India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which formed the backbone of both offensive and defensive operations during the four-day conflict.

He said that the system allowed India to absorb initial impacts and respond with a “hard-hitting reply" that compelled Pakistan to agree to de-escalation.

Air Marshal Tiwari further said that New Delhi’s instructions were guided by three main principles: Any action taken against the enemy needed to be visibly punitive, the message sent had to prevent future attacks, and the armed forces were to be given complete operational freedom, while also preparing for the possibility of the conflict escalating into a conventional war.

Operation Sindoor

In the early hours of May 7, Indian Defence Forces launched precision strikes at nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under “Operation Sindoor" in response to the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives.

In a late-night press statement on May 7, the Indian Defence Ministry said, “A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed."

The strikes killed over 100 terrorists, including 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and four close aides.

Targets included Jaish’s Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and the Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad. Lashkar’s strongholds — Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad — were also hit. Hizbul Mujahideen’s facilities at Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were among those targeted.

The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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August 30, 2025, 16:20 IST

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