Pahalgam attack anniversary: Troops recount duties, moments from Op Sindoor

Bhuj, April 22 (IANS) Senior officers and soldiers of the Indian Army on Wednesday recalled their roles and experiences during Operation Sindoor, marking one year since the Pahalgam terror attack.

Commander of the Indian Army, Brigadier Neeraj Khajuria, said his brigade was deployed in highly sensitive regions, including the Rann and Creek sectors.

Commander, Indian Army, Brigadier Neeraj Khajuria said, “During Operation Sindoor, my brigade was deployed in sensitive areas such as the Rann and Creek sectors. These areas posed significant challenges due to harsh terrain, dispersed deployment requirements, and multi-agency coordination.”

The Commanding Officer of an Air Defence unit highlighted the regiment’s long-standing legacy.

Commanding Officer of Air Defence unit said, “I am the Commanding Officer of an Army Air Defence Regiment. During its 78 years of glorious history, the regiment has remained prepared for all kinds of challenges based on its combat skills.”

An Army Air Defence soldier, who served as a Section Commander during the operation, recalled the atmosphere following the Pahalgam terror attack.

An Indian Army soldier said, “I am a soldier of the Corps of Army Air Defence, and during Operation Sindoor, I was performing duties as a Section Commander. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, there was anger across the nation and within the armed forces. There was a strong resolve to respond to the enemy, and the soldiers of the army were only waiting for orders.”

Another soldier shared a similar account, emphasising that the killing of innocent civilians by Pakistani terrorists had triggered outrage not only within the Army but across the country.

A soldier said, “I am a soldier in the Army Air Defence and was performing Section Commander duty during Operation Sindoor. During the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani terrorists killed innocent Indian civilians, which caused outrage not only in the Indian Army but across the entire nation.”

A drone operator involved in Operation Sindoor stated that enemy drones were frequently observed entering their sector, often daily. As part of a dedicated drone team, he was responsible for identifying enemy positions and coordinating surveillance operations, which he carried out efficiently.

He said, “During Operation Sindoor, I worked as a drone operator. After being deployed in the operational area, we observed that the enemy was frequently sending drones into our sector almost every day. I was part of a drone team tasked with locating enemy positions, which I led efficiently.”

One soldier recounted his deployment at the Jaisalmer Military Station on May 10, 2025, where he was tasked with securing critical infrastructure. During his duty, he detected an approaching enemy drone and promptly took action to address the threat.

A soldier said, “I am a soldier of the Army Air Defence Corps. On May 10, 2025, I was deployed at the Jaisalmer Military Station as part of an Air Defence detachment responsible for providing security to critical infrastructure. While performing my assigned duties, I observed an enemy drone approaching critical infrastructure.”

Another soldier said, “During Operation Sindoor, I was deployed with a gun detachment in a highly sensitive area. During the night, enemy aerial activity was observed in our sector. Immediately showing alertness, I informed my senior officers. Upon receiving permission, I alerted the gun detachment and carried out effective firing, successfully destroying the enemy drone.”

The Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic ‘kalima’ to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families.

In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 6 and 7, carrying out what officials described as a focused, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

‘Operation Sindoor’ was a significant demonstration of India’s military and strategic capability, combining both military and non-military measures.

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.

–IANS

jk/dpb