By An Indian Air Force Veteran
As an Indian Air Force (IAF) veteran, one reflects with immense pride on the unprecedented and decisive role played by the IAF in compelling the Pakistani forces to seek a ceasefire a mere 90 hours after the initiation of full-scale offensive air operations by India.
This swift outcome stands as a unique testament to the efficacy of air power in modern warfare and marks a significant milestone in military history.
The catalyst for this robust response was the reprehensible murder of 26 innocent Hindu tourists in Kashmir, a heinous act targeting specific communities and demanding a firm, unequivocal answer.
The IAF brought its formidable capabilities to bear, deploying a potent combination of advanced aerial assets. This included the agile Rafale fighters, the versatile Mirage 2000s, the powerful Su-30 MKIs, and the reliable MiG-29s. Each of the platforms played a crucial role in the ensuing operations, showcasing the IAF’s multi-faceted strike capabilities.
The sequence of these historic events unfolded with precision and intensity. Offensive air operations commenced on the night of May 6 and May 7 at 01:15 hours, with coordinated long-range strikes against nine identified terrorist camps located within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
These initial strikes were aimed exclusively at the terrorist infrastructure used to perpetrate violence against India and employed vectors such as the Hammer, Rampage, and Spice 1000/2000.
The stated intent of India appeared to be to differentiate between the State of Pakistan and the state-sponsored terrorist entities funded and controlled by the Government of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s retaliatory actions definitely resulted in attrition on the Indian side and caused the conflict to escalate. The IAF reacted with a technologically superior and strategically astute riposte.
On the morning of May 8, the IAF effectively utilized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) such as the Harpy and Harop loitering munitions.
These assets proved instrumental in neutralizing a significant number of Pakistan’s Air Defence (AD) assets. Furthermore, the strategic employment of the S-400 air defence system against Pakistani aircraft at long ranges demonstrated the IAF’s capacity to dominate the airspace and protect Indian assets while projecting power.
The pressure on the adversary was relentlessly escalated. On May 9 and 10, the IAF executed strikes with long-range vectors. The Rafale aircraft, armed with SCALP cruise missiles, and the Su-30 MKIs, equipped with the BrahMos-A air-launched cruise missiles, conducted deep strikes at multiple enemy air bases with precision.
These aerial attacks were complemented by strikes from land-based BrahMos missile systems, creating a multi-pronged assault that overwhelmed Pakistan’s defensive capabilities.
The cumulative impact of these relentless and precise offensive operations by the IAF was undeniable. By 15:35 hours on May 10, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Pakistan was compelled to request a ceasefire.
The ceasefire subsequently came into effect at 17:00 hours on the same evening. It is pertinent to note that the IAF, confident in its operational momentum and ability to further degrade the enemy’s war-waging potential, was willing to continue offensive action.
The events of those 90 hours underscore the pivotal and decisive role of the IAF. It was the sustained and impactful application of air power, targeting critical enemy infrastructure and capabilities, that directly led to the Pakistani establishment suing for peace in such a remarkably short timeframe.
While broader geopolitical considerations and actions by other arms of the military played their part, the offensive
air campaign was undoubtedly the principal factor that broke the enemy’s will to continue the conflict.
The IAF’s ability to project power, achieve air dominance, and deliver precision strikes proved to be the linchpin of India’s response, compelling a swift cessation of hostilities on terms favourable to India.
This operation will be studied for generations as a clear demonstration of how strategic air power can shape the
outcome of a conflict with unparalleled speed and decisiveness.
(The writer is a former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force. He prefers to be unnamed.)
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