In early May, tensions between Pakistan and India escalated after India launched Operation Sindhoor, a series of unprovoked surgical strikes targeting Pakistan’s civilian population centers in Azad Kashmir and elsewhere. India also launched conventional strikes on air bases and civilian infrastructure in major cities of Pakistan including Rawalpindi, Lahore and Jamshoro. In response to these cowardly attacks, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-un–Marsoos, showing a well-coordinated and precise use of conventional military capabilities. Pakistan’s Armed Forces targeted 26 military installations inside India that were allegedly involved in attacks on Pakistani civilians and infrastructure. This demonstrates the nation’s commitment towards strategic deterrence while showing off constraints to avoid civil casualties. Pakistan showed strategic maturity and discipline in its response to India’s aggression, although escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed states lowered the conventional and nuclear threshold. After that, Pakistan completed its military objectives by responding effectively. Subsequently, both parties reached a ceasefire agreement on May 10, with the help of the US as an international mediator.
Pakistan showed credibility of its conventional military capabilities to respond to Indian attacks. Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos also reinforced the notion of national cohesion and unity. Pakistan’s response was effective against the aggression under self-defense. Article 51 of the UN Charter provides the right of self-defense against external aggression. Pakistan’s deterrent capabilities are further strengthened by its cruise missiles which provide an effective defensive measure in a limited conventional war. These cruise missiles include the Exocet missile series, Babur series, and Ra’ad cruise missile.
The Exocet missiles are conventional short range anti-ship cruise missiles along with six variants (different in terms of launch platforms and updated levels). This comprises the ship-launched MM38, which is a solid dynamic missile with a range of 40 km. It has a 0.35 body diameter and is 5.21 m long, and a starting weight of 735 kg with a 165 kg load. The MM40 Exocet is an enhanced version of the Exocet MM38 with 5.8 m length , a diameter of 350 mm and weight of 870 kg. This series has an inaction radar seeker, prepared with a highly inflammable fragmentation warhead. The MM40 Block 2 missiles are facilitated by kinetic control systems which allow them to fly at the 2-3 m altitude, distinguish targets and are capable of conducting configured maneuvers. Exocet MM40 Block 3 is completed with Microturbo TRI 40 turbojet engine loaded with a 160 kg high-intense amour sharp warhead and an active radar searcher is a useful weapon. The SM39 is the sea-based launch of Exocet family with a range of 50 km , 4.69 m length and a diameter of 350 mm. This missile alone weighs 655 kg, and the weight rises to 1,345 kg with the combination of Vehicule Sous Marin (VSM) container module. Exocet AM39 is an air-launched type of Exocet series which weighs 670 kg and has a length of 4.69 m and a diameter of 350mm. This has a range of 50-70 km based on the altitude and speed of the aircraft.
On the other hand, Pakistan Ra’ad (Hatf 8) is an air launched dual capable missile. Its missile range is 350 km and measures 4.85 m in length and has a body diameter is 0.5. Furthermore, Pakistan’s Babur (Hatf 7) is a ground launched cruise missile. In modernized forms, its range is up to 700 km and delivers dual conventional and nuclear payloads. Babur is around 6.2 m long and with a diameter of 0.52 m and a 2.5 m wingspan. The launch weight is around 1,500 kg and it carries a 450 kg payload, 350- 700 km. Pakistan owns these credible cruise missiles, which improve its credibility as well as its capability of a deterrence posture.
Additionally, Pakistan has the JF-17, which serves dual purposes: both nuclear and conventional. This jet is designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with a speed of 1.6 Mach and a range of 1200 km, reaching an altitude of 55,500 feet. The JF-17 is equipped with weapons such as cruise missiles capable of both conventional warfare and strategic deterrence.
Operation Sindhoor was a costly misadventure, an aggressive act that violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and led the region to a full-fledged war. The operation dilutes regional stability and is a clear example of escalation. Pakistan’s expansion of cruise missiles such as Ra’ad and Babur, are built to be operated for conventional deterrence. Those strikes empower Pakistan to react efficiently in the future to such operations without escalating to a full-scale war. It is not inflammatory but built to deter further escalations such as Operation Sindhoor and try to maintain peace via conventional strength.
The analysis of the Operation Sindhoor conducted across Pakistan’s territory and the effective response of Islamabad highlights the conventional capability of Pakistan. In response to such an operation, Pakistan effectively shot hypersonic missile by the JF17 and by the Fatah 1, which destroyed the Indian air defense system S400 and showed Pakistan’s defense capabilities. The cruise missiles of Pakistan are only reserved for self-defense and showed Pakistan’s responsibility in sustaining strategic stability in South Asia. Conclusively, the Operation Sindhoor shows that India’s operation was a mere eye wash as it primarily focused on targeting Pakistan’s civilian infrastructure like mosques, residential quarters and some key national projects. India is neglecting international norms through its aggressive approach toward Pakistan. In response to India’s aggressive approach, Pakistan’s military targeted 26 military installations across India, which were involved in attacks on Pakistan’s civilian infrastructure. Pakistan’s timely response to India emphasizes its capability to defend its sovereignty. It also shows Pakistan’s commitment to counter future escalations and improving deterrence and maintaining stability in the region.
Ms Shahwana Binte Sohail is Research Assistant at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.
