A Military Operation refers to activities carried out in a planned and organized manner by a nation’s armed forces to achieve specific military objectives. The operations can range from large-scale conflicts to smaller, targeted interventions and can involve one or more types of forces and capabilities. Military operations are often planned and executed to achieve specific objectives, which may be tactical, operational, or strategic. Combat Military Operation aims to achieve specific tactical or strategic goals, such as defeating enemy forces or seizing territory, while a non-combat Military Operation focuses on tasks like humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, or peacekeeping.
Military Operations in India
Since Independence India had to carry out a number of Military Operations in order to maintain Internal peace, guard territory, or provide disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. Below is a list of few successful and notable operations carried out by Indian Armed Forces
Operation Sindoor 2025
The most recent operation by by Indian Armed Forces, targeted against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir to avenge the shameful Pahalgam Terror Attack.
Operation Polo 1948
Conducted with the goal of integrating the State of Hyderabad into the Indian Union. Spearheaded by then Home and Defence Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Operation Vijay 1961
Carried out to free Goa from Portuguese rule and integrate into mainland India. After the successful completion, Goa and Daman and Diu were annexed and integrated into India
Operation Cactus Lilly 1971
Conducted by Indian Air Force, Operation Cactus Lilly was a precursor to Bangladesh’s Liberation War which ended in formation of a new nation of Bangladesh
Operation Trident 1971
Operation Trident was one of the first naval assaults against Pakistan and was part of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The thumping victory In this operation is commemorated as Navy Day on 4th December every year.
Operation Meghdoot 1984
Carried out in one of the highest battlefields of the world, Operation Meghdoot was aimed at capturing Siachen Glacier in Kashmir region. The success of this operation gave India an upper hand forever.
Operation Blue Star 1084
To deal with growing chaos in Punjab over demands of separate nation of Khalistan, Operation Blue Star was carried out to eradicate sikh militants operating from Golden Temple of Amritsar
Operation Cactus 1988
India helped Maldives avert a coup against their second president M.A. Gayoom. It was a joint effort of all 3 – Army, Air Force and Navy and was a huge success.
Operation Rajeev 1987
Aimed to capture a high point in Siachen Glacier from pakistan’s control. Indian Army successfully completed the operation and named the point as Bana Post to honour captain Bana Singh
Operation Pawan 1987
This successful operation was carried out by Indian Peace Keeping Forces to diffuse the tension caused by LTTE in Sri Lanka
Operation Vijay 1999
Codename for 2 operations – Goa Liberation and integration in 1961 and the conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999, soon turned into a fierce Kargil War wherein our forces claimed the strategic positions back from Pakistan.
Operation Talwar 1999
This was undertaken by the Indian Navy to support Operation Vijay 1999. Naval fleets strategically positioned themselves in the north Arabian Sea as part of this mission.
Operation Parakram 2001
This was undertaken following the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001. It was a Military Standoff between India and Pakistan along the border and is considered as biggest military drill in Asia
Operation Black Tornado 2008
THis was an NSG commando Mission during the 26/11 attacks on Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai. The main objective of this mission was to rescue the hostages. Ajmal Kasab was the terrorist who was caught alive in this operation .
Military Operations by Indian Army
Considered as one of the World’s largest army , The Indian Army has over the years conducted many successful operations individually and collaboratively with other forces or with other nation’s armies. Here is a detailed list about various operations
Operation | Year | Key Region |
Steeplechase |
1971 |
Red Corridor |
Amalgamation of Sikkim |
1975 |
Sikkim |
Woodrose, Red Rose, Mand |
1984–86 |
Punjab |
Shivalik |
1985 |
Multiple Indian states |
Black Thunder I & II |
1986, 1988 |
Punjab |
Bluebird |
1987 |
Manipur |
Night Dominance |
1990–94 |
Punjab |
Rakshak I |
1990 |
Punjab |
Vadhi Pahar |
1991 |
Punjab |
Election |
1992 |
Punjab |
Sarp Vinash |
2003 |
Jammu & Kashmir |
All Out |
1990s |
Kashmir |
Myanmar Strikes |
2015 |
Myanmar |
Calm Down |
2016 |
J&K |
Randori Behak |
2020 |
J&K |
2021 |
Afghanistan |
|
2022 |
Ukraine (Evacuation) |
Military Operations by Indian Navy
Indian Navy with its diverse fleet and personnel traces its roots to the 17th century and was renamed as Indian Navy in 1950. Indian Navy motto “Sham No Varunah” taken from Rig Veda and translates to “May God Varun, the God of ocean be auspicious unto us”. Here’s a list of various operations conducted by the Indian Navy.
Operation | Year | Purpose |
Vijay (Goa) |
1961 |
Annexation of Goa |
Trident |
1971 |
Karachi naval strike |
Python |
1971 |
Follow-up strike on Karachi |
1988 |
Intervention in the Maldives |
|
Talwar |
1999 |
Naval support during Kargil |
Sukoon |
2006 |
Evacuation during the Lebanon War |
Madath, Sea Waves, Castor |
2004 |
Tsunami relief operations |
Raahat |
2015 |
Yemen evacuation |
Nistar |
2018 |
Cyclone rescue at Socotra (Yemen) |
Searchlight |
2014 |
MH17 search operation |
Military Operations by Indian Air Force
Known as the Guardians of Sky, the Indian Air Force has the motto “Nabha Sparsham Deeptam” translating to “Touch the Sky with Glory” . This is derived from Bhagavad Gita and is inscribed below the eagle on IAF crest. Below is the list of successful operation over the years done by Indian Air Force
Operation | Year | Region |
Meghna Heli Bridge | 1971 | Bangladesh Liberation |
Meghdoot | 1984 | Siachen Glacier |
Poomalai | 1987 | Sri Lanka |
Cactus | 1988 | Maldives |
Safed Sagar | 1999 | Kargil |
Rahat | 2013 | Uttarakhand floods |
Maitri | 2015 | Nepal |
Sankat Mochan | 2016 | South Sudan |
Insaniyat | 2017 | Bangladesh |
Bandar | 2019 | Balakot |
Ganga | 2022 | Ukraine |
Dost | 2023 | Turkey and Syria |
Last updated on June, 2025
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Military Operations of India Faqs
Q1. What is a military operation?+
Q2. What are the various types of Military Operations?+
Q3. What is the motto of the Indian Army?+
Q4. What is the motto of the Indian Navy?+
Q5. What is the motto of Indian Air Force?+
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