A Civilian Account of the India-Pakistan War from North India

A Civilian Account of the India-Pakistan War from North India

Dikumoni Hazarika

The recent escalation in India-Pakistan hostilities, following the Pahalgam terror attack allegedly sponsored by Pakistan, marked a significant shift in regional geopolitics and military engagement.

India’s response, Operation Sindoor, reflected a decisive strategic shift towards pre-emptive and retaliatory measures aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure not only in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) but also deep within Pakistani territory.

During the night of May 7–8, Pakistan launched a coordinated offensive involving drones and missile strikes aimed at multiple strategic military installations across Northern and Western India.

Targeted locations included key defence zones such as Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, as well as air bases and defence facilities in Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.

However, the attempted strikes were effectively intercepted by India’s Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Grid and its strong air defence infrastructure.

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The successful neutralisation of these aerial threats underscores the operational efficiency of India’s layered defence architecture. Recovery operations are currently underway, and debris collected from various impact sites serves as tangible evidence of Pakistan’s hostile engagement.

As a student residing in Chandigarh, the shared capital of Haryana and Punjab, I observed firsthand the heightened state of war preparedness. Although geographically distant from the Line of Control, the city experienced air attack threats, wartime protocols, including air raid sirens, extended power outages, market shutdowns, and advisories related to internal security threats.

Residing in this region, I witnessed the surge in panic buying and an increase in public anxiety. However, this tense period also offered valuable lessons into wartime preparedness, helped us to understand civil defence mechanisms and resilience during conflict situations.

For many from the millennial generation, this was an unfamiliar and unsettling experience, marking that India has not engaged in a full-scale war since the 1999 Kargil conflict, apart from sporadic border conflicts.

The nature of warfare has evolved dramatically, with modern conflicts increasingly driven by advanced military technologies. Both nations deployed highly sophisticated weaponry and systems. Pakistan utilized Chinese-manufactured military vehicles and Turkish drones, while India countered with high-end Russian and Israeli defense technologies. Among these, the S-400 Triumph air defence system emerged as a key strategic asset, providing strong protection against aerial threats and reinforcing India’s defense posture.

According to The Hindu, after the launch of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan escalated hostilities by intensifying cross-border shelling in multiple sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of at least 16 civilians.

In addition, Pakistani drones were spotted across a wide swath of Indian territory, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana, prompting civil defense measures such as blackouts and surveillance alerts. India responded forcefully, launching coordinated strikes on Pakistani military installations, including the reported neutralization of an air defense base near Lahore.

Intelligence assessments indicated that Pakistan had deployed between 300 and 400 drones, primarily Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reportedly used to probe India’s air defense capabilities and conduct reconnaissance operations (Special Briefing by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, 2024).

In a subsequent all-party meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh revealed that the Indian Armed Forces had successfully eliminated approximately 100 terrorists as part of the Operation Sindoor offensive (Source: ANI). This super-effective military response signals a clear shift in India’s counter-terrorism and national security strategy, showing its willingness to engage in cross-border operations when necessary.

Simultaneously, the Indian Armed Forces thwarted multiple infiltration attempts along the International Border, mainly in the Samba sector of Jammu & Kashmir. The Border Security Force (BSF) eliminated at least seven infiltrators in one such incident. The use of surveillance technologies such as Hand-Held Thermal Imagers (HHTIs) and counter-drone systems was key in containing infiltration attempts and aerial incursions (Source: The Hindu).

Talking about civilians in affected districts, in Baramulla, Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu, experienced mass displacement as per media reports. Schools, religious sites, and residential buildings were damaged, prompting emergency shelter arrangements in relatively safer zones. Jammu, traditionally considered relatively insulated from frontline hostilities, witnessed damage from aerial projectiles for the first time in decades.

Official visits by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reflected administrative acknowledgment of the humanitarian cost of the conflict. The attacks also highlighted the vulnerability of India’s western border states, namely Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, which collectively share a 3,323 km-long boundary with Pakistan.

India’s political leadership, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, emphasized national unity and strategic preparedness. High-level security meetings ensured a coordinated response involving the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and intelligence officials.

Moreover, the public communication strategy sought to be very effective in preventing panic while encouraging vigilance. Local administrations in affected regions issued frequent advisories, enforced curfews, and promoted civil-military coordination to manage internal security.

The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan has revealed critical dimensions of modern warfare, including the centrality of drone technology, the importance of civil defense preparedness, and the geopolitical risks of cross-border terrorism. From a regional perspective, the experience of North Indian civilians, particularly in urban centers like Chandigarh, provides insight into the psychological and logistical impacts of war beyond direct combat zones.

While the long-term implications of Operation Sindoor remain to be fully assessed, the conflict has reaffirmed India’s resolve in countering asymmetric threats through a combination of technological superiority, strategic coordination, and civil-military cooperation. Importantly, the resilience of Indian civilians, coupled with political and military unity, has emerged as a significant factor in sustaining national defense during a period of high external aggression.

Through this article, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Armed Forces and the Government of India for their courage, strategic leadership, and tireless commitment to national security. I salute the bravery and sacrifice of our martyrs, whose valor shields our nation. I also offer my deepest condolences to the innocent civilians who tragically lost their lives in this conflict- their memory stands as a solemn reminder of the true cost of war.

11-05-2025/ DIKUMONI HAZARIKA, PhD. Research Scholar (Political Science), Panjab University, Chandigarh

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