Kashmir-based Poonch Brigade was at the “heart” of Operation Sindoor, which was launched by the Indian Army in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Brigadier Mudit Mahajan, Commander of the Poonch Brigade, on Tuesday spoke about the key role his formation played.
Speaking at a press briefing, he said six of the nine initial targets struck by India were located across the Line of Control opposite Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor, and were neutralised with “precision and purpose.”
Brig Mahajan outlined the sequence of operations, the evolving threat landscape, and the role of the Army Air Defence in countering drone swarms during the escalation.
What role did the Poonch Brigade play in Operation Sindoor?
Brig Mahajan said the Poonch Brigade had not merely contributed to the operation but had “been its heart.” He said that in the immediate aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed groups, the Army struck nine terrorist infrastructure targets across the Line of Control, six of which were opposite Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor.
“Only when the Pakistan Army escalated by indiscriminately targeting civilian areas did Indian Army decisively shift to hitting their military assets,” he said.
How did the Indian Army respond to drone threats and what are the reported outcomes?
Brig Mahajan said Pakistan employed swarm drone attacks during the operation, prompting a robust response from Army Air Defence units.
The senior Indian Army officer stated, “It was the Army Air Defence that truly emerged as the shining shield— demonstrating exceptional skill, resilience, and cutting-edge coordination to intercept every aerial menace, safeguarding our troops and territory with unwavering vigilance and valour.”
While specific figures were not disclosed, the brigade commander said inputs from intelligence agencies suggested “heavy numbers” of both fatal and non-fatal casualties had been inflicted on Pakistani forces, along with a loss of morale and strategic initiative. “They have lost credibility before their own nation,” he added.
Brig Mahajan noted that Operation Sindoor had been suspended but not concluded. “The Indian Army remains alert, ready, and if challenged again, we will respond not with words, but with fire and the resolve of the nation,” he said.