Between May 6 and May 10, India set a new benchmark in Asia’s war strategy. In a bold and unprecedented move, New Delhi struck Pakistan-backed terror infrastructure and targeted air bases and radar sites deep inside the country. This podcast offers a detailed analysis of the events leading up to Operation Sindoor, from the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of innocent civilians, to the geopolitical dynamics involving the United States, the use of Chinese weaponry, and how Indian forces neutralised Turkish drones. This Podcast also presents new facts about how India redefined the rules of engagement in the region.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Colonel Hunny Bakshi, former Commanding Officer of the Technical Support Division (TSD), a military intelligence unit established after the 26/11 attacks; and Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence officer, academic, and tech entrepreneur. Together, they unpack how India demonstrated its resolve to strike deep into Pakistan, what lessons were learned, and where further improvement is still needed.
00:00 – Introduction
02:50 – Analysis of Operation Sindoor
05:11 – February 5: Munir’s First Warning
07:52 – How the Pahalgam Attack May Have Happened (Shown on Map)
18:57 – "SSG Commandos Are Terrorists"
21:48 – April 16: Asim Munir’s Second Warning
29:32 – India vs Pakistan-China-Turkey
33:55 – Child Recounts the Pahalgam Horror
41:18 – How Pakistan Fakes the Narrative
44:44 – "War Is a Political Decision"
48:52 – Objectives of Operation Sindoor
51:12 – Proof of Operation Sindoor
54:15 – Donald Trump’s First Reaction to Op Sindoor
01:03:08 – What “Free Hand to the Army” Really Meant
01:04:54 – "Pak Doing Dirty Work For US"
01:05:56 – Iran-Israel War’s Link to Operation Sindoor
01:11:44 – Indian Media Coverage of Operation Sindoor
01:23:02 – India’s Messaging During Operation Sindoor
01:25:27 – India’s Retaliation After the Pahalgam Attack
01:31:45 – How the Indian Air Force Destroyed Pakistan’s Air Bases
01:34:47 – Pakistan’s Bid to Target the Golden Temple
01:37:39 – Jaishankar–Rubio Talks
01:41:47 – JD Vance: “None of Our Business” Statement
01:44:57 – Pakistani Missiles Shot Down in Sirsa
01:52:15 – The U.S. Role in the India–Pakistan Ceasefire
01:59:08 – Why Was There No Action from the Pakistan Navy?
02:04:42 – Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons
02:07:42 – U.S. Funding for Pakistan’s Nuclear Facilities
02:10:38 – Was Nur Khan Airbase Under U.S. Control?
02:13:27 – Debate Over War Duration and Objectives
02:14:48 – Key Takeaways from the India–Pakistan War
02:21:02 – Indian Media Behaviour During Operation Sindoor
02:22:41 – Press Briefings and Perception Management in Wartime
02:27:41 – How India Jammed Pakistani Drones Using ECM
02:32:21 – Disinformation as a War Tactic
02:40:12 – Real-Time Information Flow During War
02:49:57 – Was the Pahalgam Attack a Result of Intel Failure?
02:56:27 – Conclusion
