Highly confidential manual guided India’s top officials during conflict with Pakistan

A highly classified government manual, spanning over 200 pages and bound in blue, has been the cornerstone for India’s top officials navigating the recent military tensions with Pakistan. Known as the war book, this restricted document, not accessible to the public, outlines the roles and responses of various government branches during an armed conflict. Its origins trace back to colonial times, with updates issued roughly every 15 years to reflect modern challenges.

The manual’s significance came to light amid the recent escalation following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, were killed. India’s response, Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in over 100 terrorist deaths. The operation sparked four days of intense cross-border clashes, involving drones, missile strikes, and ceasefire violations, before a US-brokered ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10.

The war book addresses contemporary warfare issues, such as disinformation and advanced technology. While it includes provisions for countering drones extensively used by Pakistan during the conflict specific details remain undisclosed. Each year, the ministries of defense, external affairs, and home affairs contribute updates to ensure the manual remains relevant, with the latest edition guiding bureaucrats through the crisis.