It has been 26 years since the Kargil War — a bitter, high-altitude conflict fought between India and Pakistan from May to July 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil district. The war was triggered by the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and armed militants into Indian territory, occupying strategic mountain peaks and ridgelines. Initial detection from local shepherds helped the Indian Army detect these incursions, leading to the launch of Operation Vijay to reclaim the territory.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADClick here for India Pakistan Tension LIVEThe battle was intense and costly: India lost 527 soldiers, while the number of Pakistani casualties remains disputed. Officially, Pakistan listed 453 soldiers as dead in the Kargil war. However, various reports claimed starkly different. For example, Nawaz Sharif, the then prime minister of Pakistan, was said to have admitted to losing about 2,500 soldiers. Pakistani-Swedish political scientist
Ishtiaq Ahmed cited another former Pakistan prime minister, late Benazir Bhutto, to putting the number of fallen soldiers at 3,000.More from India
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Operation Sindoor lesson for Pakistan: It can’t rely on Turkish dronesFast forward to 2025, the nature of conflict and India’s response has evolved dramatically. Operation Sindoor, launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack illustrates how far India had come in terms of military precision, technological integration and strategic assertiveness.Operation Sindoor: A new chapter in India’s counterterror doctrineOn May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a major retaliatory strike in response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The offensive marked a clear shift in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism combining real-time intelligence with surgical military action.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his national address on Monday, said that over 100 high-value terrorists were eliminated during the operation. Strikes were carried out on nine terror launchpads, including major command hubs of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke.The Indian Air Force launched a wave of precision airstrikes, deploying its most advanced combat assets. Rafale fighter jets, armed with SCALP and AASM HAMMER missiles conducted deep penetration strikes within Pakistan. The SCALP, a long-range cruise missile, enabled precise strikes on enemy infrastructure with minimal collateral damage. Meanwhile, the AASM HAMMER bombs offered versatile targeting capabilities neutralising fortified positions and ensuring operational success.The scale and precision of India’s retaliation sent a strong signal. Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan attempted to retaliate with a series of drone incursions into Indian airspace over several nights. These drones were swiftly intercepted and neutralised by India’s robust air defence network.To safeguard against retaliation, India kept its most advanced air defence systems on high alert. The Russian-made S-400 Triumf system stood ready to intercept any incoming threats, providing a strategic shield over critical assets.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe Barak air defence system, which was jointly developed with Israel, known for its effectiveness against both aircraft and missiles, formed an essential part of the medium-range shield, especially over high-risk strategic zones.Additionally, the D-4 anti-drone system was deployed to neutralise hostile drones attempting to breach Indian airspace. Together, these platforms ensured Indian skies remained secure and impenetrable throughout the operation.India also deployed its indigenous missile strength with lethal effect. BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, developed jointly with Russia, were used to destroy strategic terrorist facilities. These missiles, known for their speed and accuracy, showcased India’s ability to deliver swift and decisive blows.Complementing this, the Akash surface-to-air missile system was activated to protect Indian assets from aerial threats, highlighting the robustness of India’s air defence posture during the operation.Loitering munitions and drone warfare played a key role in the success of Operation Sindoor. Kamikaze drones, including Harop drones, were used to target and destroy enemy radar systems, effectively blinding adversary surveillance and reducing the risk to manned aircraft.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADIn addition, systems like the Nagastra-1 and SkyStriker drones provided real-time reconnaissance and executed pinpoint strikes on mobile terrorist units, significantly enhancing the precision and lethality of India’s operations.Electronic warfare capabilities were fully leveraged with the deployment of the Akashteer system. This indigenous suite disrupted enemy radar and communication channels paving the way for undetected strikes and reducing adversary coordination.Satellite surveillance from Isro, complemented by commercial satellites, was used extensively to map targets, track movement and ensure that every strike was informed by high-resolution, up-to-date intelligence—minimising civilian casualties and maximising mission effectiveness.Pakistan admitted that 11 of its soldiers were killed and 78 were injured in India’s Operation Sindoor. This kind of precise and powerful strike, with very little harm to civilians or surroundings, shows how advanced India’s military operations have become—very different from the old-style fighting seen during the Kargil conflict.Indian losses: Sobering but containedWhile India’s losses during Operation Sindoor were deeply unfortunate, they were significantly lower compared to the casualties sustained during the Kargil War. In Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, Pakistani artillery shelling resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians, including four children and injured 43 others. Infrastructure damage included a gurudwara, a school and multiple homes.In a tragic incident, two students were killed when shelling struck a Catholic school also damaging the convent of the Carmelites of Mary Congregation. A high-ranking Jammu and Kashmir administration official also lost his life during Pakistani shelling.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADIn Punjab’s Bathinda district, an unidentified aircraft crash killed an Indian farmer and injured nine more civilians. In total, India reported 21 civilian deaths and five military fatalities during the operation — far fewer than the toll suffered in Kargil.Pakistan’s use of advanced foreign weaponry thwartedIndian defence forces managed to thwart several advanced weapons systems used by Pakistan during the recent hostilities, according to statements made by
Air Marshal AK Bharti
, who heads India’s air operations. The interception showcased the effectiveness of India’s integrated air defence strategy and real-time response capabilities.Among the foreign-origin weapons neutralised were the PL-15, a sophisticated air-to-air missile manufactured in China and the Byker YIHA III, a Turkish-origin kamikaze drone designed for precision strikes. These systems represent some of the latest additions to Pakistan’s growing arsenal of imported military technology.The PL-15 missile, developed by China’s state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation, is built to engage strategic airborne targets at extended ranges—reportedly over 200 kilometres. It features a dual-pulse motor and advanced targeting systems, making it a significant threat in aerial warfare.What made the interception particularly noteworthy was that this marked the first time the PL-15 had been used in an actual combat scenario. Its deployment, and subsequent neutralisation by Indian forces, reflects both the shifting nature of regional threats and the growing emphasis on long-range, high-tech weaponry in modern conflict. Powered by a dual-pulse motor, the PL-15 can reach hypersonic speeds of over Mach 5.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADIn a significant escalation, Pakistan launched a Fateh-1 missile aimed at Delhi, but Indian air defence forces intercepted and destroyed it over Sirsa, averting a major crisis. The Indian military credited its layered defence network, including UCAVs, loitering munitions, long-range interceptors and fighter jets for neutralising the threat. Along the Line of Control, Pakistan deployed heavy-calibre artillery and tactical drones to target Indian positions, but these attacks were largely repelled with minimal damage due to India’s robust surveillance and counterstrike capabilities.Threat of non-kinetic warfare is realWhile India’s military success in Operation Sindoor is commendable—achieved with limited deployment of its forces—it serves as a reminder that tensions with Pakistan are rarely settled for long. The question now is not if another confrontation will arise, but what form it will take.Future wars probably won’t just be fought on traditional battlefields with tanks, missiles and soldiers. Instead, they will more often take place in the digital world and affect how people think. Cyberattacks could shut down a country’s financial systems, communication networks and basic services like electricity and water—without even using a single bomb. Just a keyboard could be used to cause this damage.Another serious threat is the use of false or misleading information as a weapon. Disinformation, deepfake videos and psychological tricks can confuse people, create fear, break trust in governments and even change election results.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADA powerful new method called social engineering is being used more often. This involves spreading fake news and propaganda to change people’s opinions and weaken a country from the inside.At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) and machines that work on their own are changing how wars are fought. Drones that can choose their own targets, AI tools for making fast decisions and robot systems are reducing the need for humans in combat—raising both moral and practical questions.It’s also getting harder to tell the difference between military and civilian targets, or between government forces and private individuals or groups. Even a single skilled hacker or a small team with advanced technology can now be as dangerous as a full army. On top of that, new tech like 3D printing, virtual reality and advanced materials is quickly changing how wars look and work.In this new kind of conflict, protecting a country will rely just as much on strong cyber systems and an informed public as it will on weapons and soldiers.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADFewer men, more machinesGoing with the times, India is steadily moving toward a tech-driven military future. The DRDO is developing humanoid robots designed for frontline deployment. These machines, capable of carrying arms and executing complex tasks under human command, aim to reduce soldier exposure in high-risk zones. Though still in early stages, the vision is clear: to build a force where human skill is amplified by machine precision.According to Analytics India Magazine, a soldier Major Rajprasad RS exemplifies the move away from traditional warfare with his innovations: Xploder, an unmanned ground vehicle designed for counter-terror operations, and the Mobile Reactive Mine System, a mobile, target-seeking explosive device. His inventions even evinced keen interest from Prime Minister Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.With AI, robotics and automation increasingly integrated into operations, the Indian military is preparing for a future where machines will fight alongside men—not in place of them, but to protect them.Rise of the warbots as nations embrace AI-driven combat machinesAccording to Daily Wrap’s Justyna Waliszewska, China is rapidly advancing humanoid robotics, merging AI with battlefield utility. Its “ChatGPT for robotics” project enables real-time human-machine interaction, positioning these adaptive machines—like the Tiangong Ultra—as future frontline assets. Despite concerns over unpredictability, the Chinese military continues its push, driven by AI’s evolving capabilities and a strategic alliance with Pakistan.Meanwhile, Israel is deploying semi-autonomous systems like the Jaguar, a border-patrolling robot armed with sensors, firepower, and a PA system. The ATeMM, developed by Plasan, enhances military mobility with modular support for logistics, energy, and munitions—streamlining operations and reducing soldier exposure.India’s fight in the age of algorithmsFrom the rugged peaks of Kargil in 1999 to the digitally coordinated, tech-enabled Operation Sindoor in 2025, India’s defence doctrine has undergone a dramatic transformation. The shift is not merely tactical, but philosophical—toward precision, preemption, and protection through technology.As nations around the world integrate AI, robotics, and cyber capabilities into their warfighting strategies, India too is building a future-ready force—one where soldiers are supported, not replaced, by machines.The battles of tomorrow will be fought not just in the air or on the ground, but in data streams and digital shadows. To remain secure, India must continue to modernise, innovate, and adapt—because the next war may not look anything like the last one, but its consequences will be just as real.The next time Prime Minister Modi visits
Air Force Station Adampur
, he might find robots standing alongside soldiers and air warriors, chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.TagsIndiaIndia-Pakistan TensionIndian ArmyIndian NavyIndianAirForceNarendra ModiPakistanEnd of Article
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