New Delhi: Hours after US President Donald Trump announced a full ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Saturday, details have begun to emerge about how India’s military operation forced the pause. The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead, including tourists, triggered a measured but powerful retaliation. India’s response under “Operation Sindoor” wasn’t just a military move. It was a clear show of technology-backed might.
India’s use of precision-guided air-launched weapons and coordinated electronic warfare reportedly left Pakistan scrambling. What followed was a short but intense cross-border air strike window on May 6 that bypassed Pakistan’s radar grid and hit deep inside Pakistani territory without warning.
Rafale weapons made the difference
The Indian Air Force deployed its Rafale fighter jets equipped with French-origin SCALP cruise missiles and AASM HAMMER bombs. These aren’t ordinary munitions. SCALP missiles can strike targets nearly 500 km away without crossing enemy airspace. The HAMMER bombs are designed for surgical hits, making them ideal for targeting terror camps in urban zones like Bahawalpur and Muridke. No civilian zones were hit.
The result was swift. As Colonel Sophia Qureshi later said in a joint briefing, “This operation stands as proof of India’s ability to strike hard, strike fast, and strike together.” Her words reflected the tri-service coordination between the army, navy and air force during the operation.
Pakistan’s air defences were jammed
What shocked many military analysts was how India’s jets flew in and out within 23 minutes. Pakistan’s air defence network didn’t respond in time. This happened not just due to surprise, but because Indian systems reportedly jammed or spoofed key radar sites. The gap exposed Pakistan’s vulnerability to coordinated, tech-powered strikes.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also confirmed that all targets were linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives behind the Pahalgam attack. “India will take all necessary measures to defend its citizens against cross-border terrorism,” he said during the same briefing.
A message delivered with precision
India’s precision didn’t just hit camps. It delivered a signal. Ten relatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar were among the dead. Pakistan may not have expected that level of targeting accuracy. With no Indian aircraft lost and no civilian damage reported, the strike was calibrated.
The ceasefire followed 36 hours later. It wasn’t sudden. It was shaped by India’s tech-heavy, zero-failure execution. As the dust settles, one thing is clear. India didn’t just respond. It redefined the rules of the game.
