Operation Sindoor by Lt Gen K.J.S. Dhillon reveals India’s deep strikes in Pakistan after the 2025 Pahalgam attack, showcasing military power and strategy
Bhaskar Parichha
Book Name: Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan
Author: Retd. Lt. Gen. K.J.S. Dhillon
Publisher: Penguin /Veer
Location: Gurugram
The book “Operation Sindoor: The Untold Story of India’s Deep Strikes Inside Pakistan” by Retd. Lt. Gen. K.J.S. Dhillon is the first book released after the Pahalgam incident and the following attack on Pakistan. It gives a thorough account of India’s military reaction to a terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Kashmir, in April 2025, where terrorists backed by Pakistan took the lives of 26 civilians.
The book details India’s counterstrikes on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, showcasing military professionalism, technology, and diplomacy. It also examines the role of media and social media during the conflict and proposes future strategic paths. The book has firsthand insights and visuals from the operation.
It is a tribute to the Indian Army and a crucial narrative of contemporary military operations against terrorism. It stands as the most definitive account of Operation SINDOOR by the former DG of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
LIEUTENANT GENERAL KANWAL JEET SINGH DHILLON, PVSM, UYSM, YSM, VSM (RETD), who graduated from the National Defence Academy, is an Infantry Officer (Rajputana Rifles) commissioned in 1983. He’s commonly known as ‘Tiny’ Dhillon and has had a notable career in counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations in Kashmir and the North-east. He commanded the Srinagar-based 15 Corps during the challenging times of the Pulwama IED blast and the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. He retired as the Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, serving under the Chief of Defence Staff in January 2022.
The book’s blurb states: ‘On April 22, 2025, the Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir, experienced a terrifying attack when heavily armed terrorists from the Resistance Front, a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), fully backed by the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), disrupted its peace with gunfire, resulting in the deaths of twenty-six innocent people and injuring many others. The victims included newlyweds, elderly parents, and solo trekkers. A Hindu professor narrowly avoided death by reciting the kalma, a Christian sacrificed himself to save his family, and a local Muslim was killed while trying to save others. This attack aimed to disrupt India’s religious harmony and incite widespread outrage across the nation.’
‘India decided to react to this incident, which not only shocked the nation but also the entire world, with Operation SINDOOR, highlighting its military modernization and strength. The operation targeted terror camps, including those in Bahawalpur and Muridke, associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and LeT, respectively, as well as terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India’s response showcased military professionalism, technological advancement, and diplomatic wisdom, ensuring regional stability while sending a strong message against Pakistan and its terror operations.
The book, which includes a Foreword by Gen VP Malik, the former Chief of Staff of the Indian army, is divided into seven chapters. These chapters are: The Roots of Terror: Pakistan’s Proxy War Against India; The Blood Before the Storm; Strategic Guidance: The Nation’s Approach to Conflict; The War Room: Preparation and Strike; The Four-Day War; Battle at the Line of Control: When the Mountains Wept Crimson; and Strategic Communication: The Battle of Narratives. It also discusses New Rules of Engagement and the Road Ahead.
Well written and thorough, this book provides intricate details and a step-by-step account of the ‘Four-Day War’ between two rival nuclear nations. The author highlights the clever use of media and social media in the narrative battle, talks about the ‘new normal’ and the evolving rules of engagement, and offers suggestions for the future.
Lt Gen. Dhillon shares previously undisclosed details about Operation SINDOOR, showcasing the might of the Indian military and the solidarity of India in tough times. Featuring images from the devastated target zones, this book serves as a strong reminder of the effects of terrorism and the lasting desire for peace and justice.
(The author is a senior journalist and columnist. Views expressed are personal.)