In a strategic military operation dubbed Operation Sindoor, India employed an array of sophisticated, long-range precision weapons to target key infrastructure. The arsenal included the SCALP cruise missile, the HAMMER precision-guided bomb, and loitering munitions, according to reports.
The SCALP missile, also referred to as Storm Shadow, is an air-launched cruise missile designed for deep-strike missions, boasting a range beyond 250 kilometers. It was a critical component in the operation, enabling precise strikes from a safe distance.
The HAMMER, or Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range, was utilized to destroy fortified targets, including bunkers and multi-story buildings serving as training and logistics hubs for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). This standoff weapon, with a range of 50 to 70 kilometers depending on launch altitude, delivered pinpoint accuracy against hardened infrastructure.
Additionally, loitering munitions, often called “kamikaze drones,” played a versatile role in the operation. These drones conducted surveillance, identified targets, and executed precise strikes, either autonomously or via remote control, after hovering over designated areas to locate threats.
The Indian armed forces conducted precise strikes on nine terror-related sites early Wednesday, marking the first joint operation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force since the 1971 war. The military emphasized that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted, focusing solely on terrorist infrastructure linked to attacks against India.The closures and flight disruptions follow a reciprocal airspace blockade, with Pakistan barring Indian carriers six days earlier, after the Pahalgam attack. India’s Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) now prohibits Pakistani-registered or operated aircraft from its airspace, further complicating regional air travel. Jammu and Kashmir remains on high alert, with flight services to and from the region severely impacted.
Travelers are urged to monitor airline updates and official announcements as the situation develops.