India struck major Pakistani air installations including the Chaklala airbase in Islamabad and the Sargodha airfield, both considered critical to Pakistan’s air power during Operation Sindoor on May 7. The Indian military confirmed that F-16 stations, training institutes, air defence systems, and command centres were hit in a series of precision strikes across Pakistan’s western front.
“This was the time to send a clear message,” a senior Indian military official said. “We struck swiftly and deliberately—targeting airbases, command centres, and military infrastructure. Chaklala, Rafi, Chakala—these are not just names; Chaklala is Islamabad. We hit Sargodha too—one of their most important F-16 airfields.”
The remarks were made during a special press briefing on Operation Sindoor. The briefing was led by Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Vice Admiral AN Pramod and Major General SS Sharda.
{{/usCountry}}The remarks were made during a special press briefing on Operation Sindoor. The briefing was led by Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Vice Admiral AN Pramod and Major General SS Sharda.
{{/usCountry}}The strikes follow a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month, which prompted a swift and expansive military response.
After four days of intense conflict, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday following pressure from the United States. However, just hours later, explosions erupted in border towns, and India accused Pakistan of breaching the agreement.
The two longtime adversaries had engaged in their most severe clashes in nearly 30 years, exchanging missile and drone strikes targeting each other's military sites.
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched to deliver justice to the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and injured dozens more.
The government codenamed the strike as 'Operation Sindoor' and described the operation as a calibrated response to continued cross-border terrorism that has plagued India for decades.
Earlier on Sunday, government sources revealed that even after the ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, Operation Sindoor is not yet over.
According to the sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed the armed forces to give a befitting response to any Pakistani misadventure.
"Operation Sindoor is not concluded, there is a new normal in India's response to cross-border terrorism," people familiar with the matter said.
According to a PTI report, PM Modi told the military that bullets must be responded to by artillery (Wahan se goli chalegi, toh yahan se gola chalega).