Ajit Doval’s Strategic Leadership Drives Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Shift in India’s Counter-Terror Doctrine

 New Delhi – National Security Advisor Ajit Doval played a pivotal role in orchestrating Operation Sindoor, India’s recent high-stakes military campaign launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Described by senior government officials as the chief architect of the operation, Doval oversaw its strategic design and execution, ensuring the mission was guided by the principles of precision, secrecy, and calibrated escalation.

According to sources familiar with the planning, the final list of targets was held under strict confidentiality, known only to Doval until two hours before the strike. Multiple target sets had been prepared in advance and shared selectively with the armed forces, but last-minute revisions were made to preserve tactical surprise and secure maximum operational advantage.

A Two-Tiered Operational Doctrine

Operation Sindoor was structured into two distinct phases, aligning with India’s evolving defensive-offensive military doctrine. Phase 1 focused on high-impact strikes against terror infrastructure — including training camps, safe houses, and logistical hubs linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) — across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan’s Punjab province. The goal was to disrupt the operational network supporting cross-border terrorism.

Phase 2, held in reserve, was designed to escalate the campaign if provoked by direct Pakistani military retaliation. It outlined potential strikes on Pakistan Army assets, including drone bases and forward military posts — underscoring India’s readiness to respond proportionally, yet decisively.

Locations such as Muridke and Bahawalpur, long associated with the top brass of LeT and JeM, were reportedly under surveillance. Government sources emphasized the importance of sending a clear strategic message: no terror node, regardless of its location, is beyond India’s reach.

Intelligence-Led Precision Strikes

The operation was a showcase of India’s enhanced intelligence and surveillance capabilities. Real-time data from Military Intelligence (MI), satellite reconnaissance by ISRO, and on-ground assets enabled precise targeting. The emphasis was on high-value objectives while minimising collateral damage — a balance achieved through rigorous technical validation and coordination.

A comprehensive target database had been built over time, and the final selections were made based on real-time inputs and strategic prioritisation. These capabilities, officials said, reflect a growing convergence between India’s defence technology and its tactical response apparatus.

Chinese Technological Footprint Raises Concerns

A significant development during the operation was the detection of Chinese support to Pakistan’s radar and air defence systems. Intelligence assessments indicated that China had actively assisted in recalibrating Pakistan’s surveillance network and satellite positioning in the weeks leading up to the conflict. This was further corroborated by Ashok Kumar, Director General of the Ministry of Defence-backed Centre for Joint Warfare Studies, who noted China’s role in reorganising Pakistan’s electronic warfare infrastructure.

This signals a deeper strategic alignment between Beijing and Islamabad, introducing new dimensions to India’s national security calculus.

Strategic Messaging and Post-Strike Dynamics

Doval’s overarching objective extended beyond retaliation. Operation Sindoor was designed to recalibrate the strategic landscape, demonstrating India’s readiness to operate across the spectrum — from surgical anti-terror actions to the potential escalation against state military targets. The aim was to expose and undermine Pakistan’s long-standing narrative of “non-state actors” while reinforcing India’s conventional deterrence posture.

The operation initially targeted nine high-value terror installations. Following retaliatory shelling and attempted drone incursions by Pakistan, India expanded its response with strikes on 11 military airbases, targeting radar systems, communication hubs, and airfields. These actions culminated in a temporary de-escalation, with both nations agreeing to a cessation of hostilities on May 10.

A Defining Moment in India’s Counter-Terror Doctrine

Operation Sindoor, conceived under Ajit Doval’s direction, marks a significant evolution in India’s national security response — one that is strategic, intelligence-led, and uncompromising in its pursuit of terror deterrence. The operation exemplifies India’s growing capacity to deliver precision strikes while managing the delicate balance of escalation in a complex regional security environment.