The US-Israel airstrikes on Iran draw parallels to India’s Operation Sindoor conducted last year in response to the Pahalgam attack in Pakistan. Operation Sindoor, from May 7 to May 10, 2025, showcased India’s action against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, preventing missile and drone attacks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted how India successfully intercepted and destroyed 1,000 Pakistani missiles and drones to protect Indian cities.
During a Parliament session on September 29, 2025, PM Modi recounted Pakistan’s failed attempt to launch a massive attack on India with 1,000 missiles and drones, all of which were neutralized by India. He criticized the opposition for doubting the operation’s success and debunked Pakistan’s false narratives about attacking Indian air bases. India’s Operation Sindoor is now referenced amid the ongoing US-Israel airstrikes on Iran, triggered by significant attacks and aimed at dismantling Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
India’s initial response targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, focusing on maintaining a non-escalatory approach. Despite Pakistan’s counter strike on civilian areas, India refrained from targeting civilians during its retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airbases. In contrast, the US-Israel operation aimed at high-level political and military figures in Iran, resulting in the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and civilian casualties.
Operation Sindoor, a brief tri-services mission in 2025, emphasized precision and restraint, unlike the extensive aerial campaign in Iran involving Israel’s largest combat sortie with 200 fighter jets. Iran retaliated by striking US military bases and targets in Israel and Dubai. Following the ceasefire agreement after the Pakistan airbase attacks, India has warned of a potential “Operation Sindoor 2.0” if provoked further, emphasizing a harsher response.
India’s Operation Sindoor showcased a strategic approach to targeting terror networks without causing civilian harm, reflecting PM Modi’s emphasis on precision and discipline in military actions. As the US and Israel intensify their strikes on Iran, Operation Sindoor’s measured response serves as a contrast in approach, prioritizing specific targets over widespread damage.
