Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressing a gathering in New Delhi on Saturday, likened India’s recent Operation Sindoor to the 2011 U.S. mission that resulted in Osama bin Laden’s death. Applauding the mission, Dhankhar described Operation Sindoor as a milestone in counter-terror strategy, calling it a “global benchmark” in precision military action.
Operation Sindoor was launched 14 days after a brutal attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians lost their lives to terrorists originating from Pakistan. On May 7, the Indian Armed Forces executed a targeted operation on nine confirmed terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Reports estimate that at least 100 militants were neutralized in these meticulously planned strikes.
Dhankhar referred to the attack as India’s most extensive cross-border strike to date, targeting strongholds of terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Drawing a historical comparison, he alluded to the U.S. Navy SEAL operation—code-named Neptune Spear—that eliminated Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, almost a decade after the 9/11 attacks. Though he didn’t mention bin Laden by name, Dhankhar referenced how a notorious global terrorist behind the 9/11 attacks was taken down by American forces in a similar fashion.
Emphasizing India’s strong position, Dhankhar declared that the global community is now clearly aware of India’s resolute strength and determination. He emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a clear signal globally following the Pahalgam tragedy, and Operation Sindoor was a direct, powerful follow-through on that message.
According to him, these strikes were unprecedented in depth and accuracy, specifically aimed at eliminating terror operatives while avoiding civilian harm. He labeled the Pahalgam massacre as the deadliest civilian terror attack since the Mumbai 26/11 incident.
With Operation Sindoor, India has demonstrated a zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism, earning international attention and reshaping the global narrative on counter-terrorism efforts.
