New Delhi, March 1 (NationPress) The recent US-Israel airstrikes on Iran evoke memories of India's significant Operation Sindoor, executed last year as a countermeasure against Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Operation Sindoor, which took place from May 7 to May 10, 2025, showcased India's determination to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir while effectively neutralizing missile and drone threats from its neighbor.

During a parliamentary address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized how India successfully prevented any of the 1,000 Pakistani missiles and drones from reaching Indian cities.

On September 29, 2025, PM Modi recounted, "On May 9, Pakistan attempted to launch a massive assault with around 1,000 missiles and drones. If these had struck any part of India, the destruction would have been catastrophic. Fortunately, all 1,000 were intercepted and eliminated in mid-air by India."

"This is a point of pride for every citizen. Yet, the Congress party seemed to anticipate failure, hoping for a mishap to tarnish Modi's leadership," he commented, taking a jab at the opposition.

Furthermore, PM Modi addressed the false narratives propagated by Pakistan.

He criticized Islamabad's disinformation efforts, stating, "Pakistan attempted to mislead by claiming an attack on the Adampur air base. They exerted considerable effort to propagate this falsehood. In response, I visited Adampur the day after to dispel their claims, leading them to realize their lies were unsustainable."

As military operations unfold in Iran, it is pertinent to reflect on India's Operation Sindoor.

The US-Israel strikes against Iran commenced on February 28, and both operations were initiated in response to significant provocations. Operation Sindoor was India's reaction to the April 22 Pahalgam incident, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives. Conversely, the US-Israel operations, named ‘Operation Epic Fury’ and ‘Roaring Lion’, aimed to neutralize Iran's military and nuclear capabilities amidst escalating regional tensions.

Initially, India focused solely on terrorist targets—nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The objective was clear: to dismantle the terrorist network while avoiding escalation. However, Pakistan retaliated by targeting civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

Subsequently, India targeted 11 Pakistani airbases. Importantly, during both military engagements on May 7 and May 11, 2025, India refrained from striking civilian zones, resulting in no casualties. The airstrikes were executed with remarkable precision.

In contrast, the US-Israel mission directly targeted high-ranking political and military figures, leading to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Reports indicate civilian casualties in the Iranian strikes.

Operation Sindoor comprised a 25-minute coordinated tri-services mission on May 7, 2025, while the airstrikes on Iran involved a substantial aerial operation, marking Israel's largest combat sortie ever, utilizing around 200 fighter jets, subsequently supported by US forces.

Iran has since launched extensive retaliatory strikes against US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, along with targets in Israel and Dubai.

Following the May 10 attacks on Pakistani airbases, India reached a ceasefire agreement, which has remained intact since.

The Modi administration and military leaders have reiterated that Operation Sindoor is only paused, warning that any further provocations would trigger an even more severe “Operation Sindoor 2.0” against Pakistan.

As the US and Israel intensify their offensive against Iran, which vouches for retaliation, Operation Sindoor is distinguished by its precision, discipline, and restraint. India maintained a strategic advantage and could have inflicted greater damage on Pakistan; however, as PM Modi articulated, the goal was never to harm civilians but to target specific terrorist networks.