August 31, 2025

The Indian Air Force (IAF) gave a spectacular display of power during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, firing fewer than 50 weapons at Pakistani military targets. This precision strike forced Pakistan to call for a ceasefire by May 10, ending the four-day conflict. Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, shared these exciting details on August 30 during a defence summit. Talking about the mission, Air Marshal Tiwari said the IAF achieved "complete domination" over Pakistan's military with the strikes following Pakistan's attack on the night between May 9 and 10. He proudly stated, "I must tell you that it was a key takeaway for us that in less than 50 weapons, we were able to achieve complete domination. It has not happened before." The Air Marshal, who played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, revealed that some Pakistani targets destroyed were untouched even during the 1971 war. "We made every weapon count, and that is a tacit acknowledgement of the capability of our planners and people who executed the missions," he said. Operation Sindoor started on May 7 as India struck terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistani-controlled regions. This was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The IAF was ordered that the action should be very "visible," selecting nine terror targets from many options. "Conflict elimination was part of our strategy," Tiwari explained, adding, "It is very easy to start a war, but not easy enough to end it. And that was an important consideration to keep in mind." India’s strikes were carefully measured. "We expected a response and still kept it calibrated, and we engaged only military targets," the Air Marshal said. However, when Pakistan hit back hard on May 9-10 night, India unleashed full force. "We hit them pan-front," he revealed. One of the biggest challenges was using long-range vectors to reach enemy targets, which carries risks of collateral damage. But thanks to the skill of planners and pilots, the IAF struck each target with perfect precision and no collateral damage. "This is not an easy game," Air Marshal Tiwari said. This Operation Sindoor story is a thrilling mix of sharp planning, daring execution, and a clear message: India’s air power can deliver precise, powerful blows while keeping civilians safe.

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Tags: Indian air force, Operation sindoor, Pakistan, Air marshal narmdeshwar tiwari, Military strikes, Ceasefire,