What’s in Today’s Article?

• Operation Sindoor India Latest News
• Purpose Behind Target Selection
• Key Signals from Operation Sindoor
• What Makes Operation Sindoor Different
• Operation Sindoor India FAQs

Operation Sindoor India Latest News

• India successfully conducted Operation Sindoor, a joint military operation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force, targeting terrorist camps at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). 
• The strikes were a response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, attributed to ISI-backed militant groups. Precision munitions were used to hit four targets in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Sarjal) and five in PoK, with the objective of dismantling terrorist infrastructure operating with impunity.

Purpose Behind Target Selection

• The targets were chosen to dismantle anti-India terrorist infrastructure linked to groups actively engaged in cross-border terrorism.

Involvement of Proscribed Terror Groups

• The sites were connected to banned outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), which are known to receive direct support from Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies.

Nature of Terrorist Facilities

• These groups operate from training camps (Markaz) and launch pads, often concealed within government-run buildings.
  • Launch pads: Used for infiltration staging and arms training.
  • Larger camps: Serve purposes like religious indoctrination, propaganda, logistics, and recruitment.

Key Signals from Operation Sindoor

• Redefining the Causal Link Between Pakistan and Terrorism
  • India framed Operation Sindoor as a response not just to the recent Pahalgam attack, but to a two-decade-long pattern of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism since the 2001 Parliament attack.
  • It highlighted the role of groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), both UN-designated terrorist groups.
  • Cited examples like Sajid Mir and the FATF’s role in forcing Pakistan to take symbolic actions without dismantling terror networks.
  • Targeting key sites like Markaz Subhan Allah, Markaz Taiba, and Mehmoona Joya undermines Pakistan’s narrative that newer proxy groups (like TRF) are disconnected from Islamabad.
• Targeting Terror, Not the Pakistani Military
  • India continues its doctrine of hitting terrorist infrastructure without targeting Pakistan’s conventional military.
  • The strikes were labeled as “non-military” and “preemptive”, similar to the approach in the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrike.
  • However, Sindoor marks an escalation in depth and scale, striking targets deep within Pakistan, not just in PoK.
• Calibrated Action with Strategic Restraint
  • India emphasized Sindoor was “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”, showing it does not seek full-scale war.
  • However, it sent a clear message that Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence posture no longer shields its terror infrastructure.
  • Future escalations by Pakistan could trigger Indian retaliation on military assets, pushing the threshold higher.

What Makes Operation Sindoor Different

• Unprecedented Scale and Reach
  • Nine locations targeted across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Jhelum, and more.
  • 24 missile strikes launched in a single day — India’s largest single-day strike so far.
  • Over 70 militants killed and 60 injured, sending a powerful deterrent message.
  • Unlike Balakot (2019) and Uri (2016), which targeted one or few sites, Sindoor reflects a massive, coordinated offensive.
• Wider Target Spectrum and Deep Strikes
  • India signaled that no part of Pakistan is off-limits, targeting deep inside the Pakistani heartland.
  • Shows a clear shift in policy — from reactive to pre-emptive and assertive.
  • Military analysts noted this operation crossed previous thresholds in terms of both geography and intensity.
• Tri-Services Coordination and Advanced Weaponry
  • Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force all took part, demonstrating joint operational strength.
  • Strikes were highly coordinated, time-bound, and used real-time UAV confirmation to verify destruction — marking a new benchmark in precision warfare.
• Strategic Red Line Shift
  • India refrained from hitting Pakistani military installations to avoid conventional escalation, but the depth and scale of the strikes clearly altered the red line.
  • The operation has redefined the costs Pakistan may have to bear for continuing cross-border terrorism.
• Symbolic Naming, Human-Centric Messaging
  • Named “Sindoor” to honour the victims of the Pahalgam attack, particularly widows of the 26 slain.
  • Reflects a shift from military glorification to moral justification.

Operation Sindoor India FAQs

Q1. What triggered Operation Sindoor?

Ans. The April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack prompted India to launch coordinated strikes on ISI-backed terror camps in Pakistan and PoK.

Q2. Which terrorist groups were targeted?

Ans. India targeted camps linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen operating under ISI protection.

Q3. How many locations were hit in the operation?

Ans. Nine locations, including Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli, were hit with 24 precision-guided missile strikes.

Q4. What was India’s strategic message?

Ans. India redefined its red line by targeting deep inside Pakistan without provoking conventional escalation, signalling pre-emptive capability.

Q5. Why is the name ‘Sindoor’ significant?

Ans. ‘Sindoor’ honors the victims of the Pahalgam attack, particularly widows, reflecting a moral and symbolic naming choice.

Source: IE | FP | IE | TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• India’s Space Program Latest News
• Introduction
• Space as a Catalyst for Empowerment
• A Legacy of Achievements
• The Road Ahead: Moon, Mars, Venus
• Boosting Private Participation and Innovation
• Strategic Diplomacy Through Space
• India’s Space Programme FAQs

India’s Space Program Latest News

• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India was marching ahead with renewed confidence in the field of space exploration and its astronauts' footprints will be on the Moon.

Introduction

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined an ambitious future for India’s space programme, reaffirming the country's rising role in both global scientific exploration and domestic empowerment. 
• In his address to the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2025, PM Modi emphasized that India’s space efforts are not about competition, but about “reaching higher together”, driven by the spirit of collective growth, technological advancement, and service to humanity.

Space as a Catalyst for Empowerment

• PM Modi asserted that space exploration in India has a dual purpose, scientific progress and citizen empowerment. 
• From providing alerts to fishermen to enabling the Gati Shakti logistics platform and enhancing railway safety and weather forecasting, Indian satellites have been actively improving governance and the everyday lives of citizens.
• He added that India’s space infrastructure supports socio-economic transformation, showcasing space not merely as a frontier of science, but as a driver of inclusive development. 
• Highlighting this, PM Modi said India’s rockets don’t just carry payloads but “the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians.”

A Legacy of Achievements

• India’s space journey began modestly with a small rocket launch in 1963. Since then, the country has reached several significant milestones:
  • India became the first country to land near the lunar South Pole with Chandrayaan-3 in 2023.
  • Chandrayaan-1 helped discover water on the Moon.
  • Chandrayaan-2 produced the highest resolution images of the Moon.
  • In 2014, India became the first country to reach Mars in its maiden attempt with the Mangalyaan mission.
• India has also demonstrated engineering excellence by:
  • Building cryogenic engines in record time.
  • Launching 100 satellites in a single mission.
  • Sending more than 400 satellites for 34 countries.
  • Achieving satellite docking in space, a step forward for human spaceflight capability.

The Road Ahead: Moon, Mars, Venus

• Looking toward the future, PM Modi announced a clear and ambitious roadmap:
  • By 2025: India will send astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on a 14-day joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station under the Axiom-4 mission.
  • By 2035: India will establish the Bharatiya Antariksha Station, opening new frontiers in research and international collaboration.
  • By 2040: Indian astronauts will set foot on the Moon. Mars and Venus are also part of ISRO’s future planetary exploration agenda.
• These goals reaffirm India’s commitment to bold, long-term space ambitions, rooted in both national pride and global cooperation.

Boosting Private Participation and Innovation

• PM Modi highlighted the emergence of over 250 space startups in India, which are contributing to breakthroughs in satellite tech, propulsion systems, and imaging technologies. 
• He noted that many of these initiatives are led by women scientists, reflecting the inclusive character of India’s scientific community.
• These private players are not only generating employment (over 22,000 jobs in the past decade) but are also driving economic value and global relevance for India’s space sector.

Strategic Diplomacy Through Space

• India's commitment to using space for diplomacy and regional cooperation was also emphasized. 
• After launching satellites for South Asian countries, the upcoming G20 Satellite Mission, announced during India’s G20 presidency, will be a symbolic and practical gift to the Global South.
• This aligns with India’s broader vision of sharing scientific progress to address shared global challenges and strengthen multilateralism. 

India’s Space Programme FAQs

Q1. What is the Bharatiya Antariksha Station and when will it be launched?

Ans. It is India’s own space station planned to be operational by 2035.

Q2. When will India send its first astronaut to the Moon?

Ans. India aims to land its astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

Q3. What is the G20 Satellite Mission?

Ans. It is India’s upcoming satellite initiative announced during its G20 presidency to support the Global South.

Q4. What major milestones has ISRO achieved in space exploration?

Ans. ISRO has discovered water on the Moon, launched 100 satellites in one mission, and reached Mars in its first attempt.

Q5. How is India involving private companies in its space sector?

Ans. Over 250 startups are actively contributing to satellite, propulsion, and imaging tech development, many led by women scientists.

Source: TH | IE

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Precision Guided Weapons India Latest News
• Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)
• Cutting-Edge Precision Weapons in India’s Military Arsenal
• Precision Guided Weapons India FAQs

Precision Guided Weapons India Latest News

• India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting 21 terror camps across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. 
• The Indian Armed Forces used precision strikes with niche-technology weapons and carefully chosen warheads to minimize collateral damage. 
• Although specific weapons were not disclosed, the military's arsenal now includes advanced precision-guided long-range weapons and drones, such as loitering munitions.

Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)

• PGMs, also called smart weapons or smart bombs, are missiles or bombs designed to accurately strike specific targets while minimizing collateral damage.

Key Features of PGMs

• Advanced Guidance Systems: PGMs use GPS, laser guidance, infrared sensors, or radar to track and hit targets precisely.
• Mid-Flight Course Corrections: They can adjust their trajectory mid-air to account for weather, wind, or targeting errors.
• Reduced Collateral Damage: By targeting with precision, PGMs limit harm to civilians and nearby infrastructure.
• Increased Accuracy: They offer greater accuracy than unguided munitions, with a much smaller margin of error.
• Versatile Deployment: PGMs can be launched from aircraft, ships, ground platforms, or UAVs, enhancing their operational flexibility.

Cutting-Edge Precision Weapons in India’s Military Arsenal

• Two weeks after Pakistani terrorists killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting airstrikes on nine locations in Pakistan and PoK targeting terrorist infrastructure. 
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed Rafale jets, which used SCALP missiles for deep strikes and HAMMER missiles for medium-range precision targets.

HAMMER

• The HAMMER (Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range) is an air-to-ground precision-guided weapon system developed by Safran, a French aerospace and defence company.
• Capabilities and Range
  • It has a range of up to 70 km and can be mounted on Rafale jets, as well as fitted to bombs and other guided systems, making it highly versatile for medium-range tactical operations.
• Advanced Features
  • The system is autonomous, resistant to jamming, and capable of being launched from low altitudes over rough terrain, allowing precision strikes against a wide range of targets.
• India’s Procurement
  • India has procured several HAMMER systems in recent years to strengthen its aerial strike capabilities.

SCALP

• SCALP-EG (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Portée — Emploi Général), also known as Storm Shadow in the UK, is an air-launched cruise missile designed for long-range deep strike missions with stealth features.
• Manufacturer and Range
  • Developed by MBDA, a European multinational defence company, SCALP has a range of around 450 km and is capable of low-altitude flight, making it hard to detect.
• Operational Versatility
  • It can be deployed at night and in all weather conditions, providing the Indian Air Force with high operational flexibility.
• Advanced Navigation and Targeting
  • SCALP uses a combination of INS, GPS, and terrain referencing for navigation, allowing it to penetrate heavily fortified targets like bunkers and ammunition depots with high precision.

METEOR: Next-Gen Air-to-Air Superiority

• The Meteor is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed by MBDA, effective even in dense electronic warfare environments.
• It uses a solid-fuel ‘ramjet’ motor, providing continuous thrust and enabling the largest 'No Escape Zone' among air-to-air missile systems.

BRAHMOS: India’s Supersonic Cruise Power

• The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, and is operational in all three Indian defence services.
• It operates at speeds close to Mach 3, ensuring faster target engagement, low dispersion, and minimal interception risk.
• The missile follows a ‘Fire and Forget’ mode, with a cruising altitude of up to 15 km and terminal altitude as low as 10 metres, carrying a 200–300 kg conventional warhead.

Loitering Munitions

• Loitering munitions are aerial weapons that combine surveillance and strike capabilities, allowing them to identify and engage targets with precision.
• These systems can be operated autonomously or manually, offering real-time intelligence and the ability to strike at the right moment.
• In recent years, the Indian Armed Forces have been actively procuring various types of drones, including loitering munitions, to enhance situational awareness and precision strike capabilities.

Precision Guided Weapons India FAQs

Q1. What are Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs)?

Ans. PGMs are smart weapons that use GPS, laser, or radar guidance for accurate strikes with minimal collateral damage.

Q2. What is the range of the HAMMER missile?

Ans. The HAMMER missile has a range of up to 70 km and can be launched from Rafale jets or fitted to bombs.

Q3. Why is SCALP missile hard to detect?

Ans. SCALP flies at low altitudes with stealth capabilities, making it difficult to detect and ideal for deep strikes.

Q4. What makes the METEOR missile unique?

Ans. METEOR uses a ramjet engine and has the largest “No Escape Zone” in any air-to-air missile system.

Q5. What are loitering munitions?

Ans. Loitering munitions combine surveillance and strike capabilities, allowing autonomous or manual precision targeting using real-time intelligence.

Source: IE | ET