Surgical Strike Day: How India meticulously planned a massive strike against terror in PoK

On this day, September 28, India commemorates seventh anniversary of a momentous event that marked a resounding response to terrorism and Pakistan's provocations. It was on this day in 2016 that India launched a series of surgical strikes, targeting terrorist camps nestled across Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). se strikes were an unequivocal response to Uri attack, a heius act that claimed lives of 20 Indian soldiers at hands of Pakistan-backed terrorists on September 18, 2016. Today, we revisit meticulous planning and unwavering resolve that culminated in se daring surgical strikes.

How Surgical Strikes were planned?

In a revealing interview with ANI in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shed light on genesis of surgical strikes and meticulous planning that preceded m. "When Uri happened when our jawans were killed... That incident made me bechain(restless) and re was r within me. I had gone to Kerala and made a mention of this because I could t stop myself," he said.

"But I am part of a democratic system and my personal r, personal anger, personal bechaini should never be imposed on system. But I kept talking to Army about why it happened. I realised that anger in Army was much more than mine. For morale of forces, y somehow wanted justice to be done with those who had been martyred. I asked m to draw up a plan, what was required. Think what can be done. Gave m a free hand. y planned," PM told ANI.

PM revealed that dates of operation were changed twice. "Twice date had to be changed because I wanted full security for operation. Finally, operation was decided. I knew it was a big risk. I never care about any political risk. biggest consideration for me was safety of our soldiers. harm must come to m. y were willing to sacrifice ir lives for our word. For that whatever was required was arranged for m," he said.

'Special training was imparted, secrecy was maintained': PM Modi

Detaining about preparation ahead of Surgical Strike, PM said, "It was also decided that y should be trained. Special training was imparted, secrecy was maintained. topography and obstacles were kept in consideration, worst case scenarios were considered... It was a learning experience for me as well...n we decided date. And who will be where, of main team. It was decided that before dawn, our men must be back."

Clockwork precision

According to report from Mahar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), execution of operation was marked by clockwork precision. Satellite imry, corroboration through human intelligence, and real-time drone feeds provided crucial support. However, challenges were immense, given simultaneous strikes at multiple targets across different divisional and corps boundaries. Any lapse in surprise or premature launch at one location could have had dire consequences elsewhere.

Despite se daunting odds, plan unfolded with impeccable precision in early hours of September 28, 2016.

Special Forces contingent was divided into smaller sub-groups and deployed near LoC, where Indian Army units held ir positions. y advanced after nightfall, passing through gaps in ir own minefields, which posed a constant threat due to shifting terrain caused by rains and landslides. sub-groups steadily approached intended targets, all while monitoring situation for any sudden developments.

At appointed hour, strikes were initiated, catching unsuspecting terrorists off guard as y prepared for ir next assault. Indian forces immobilised terrorists, and surgical strikes succeeded in ir primary objective: eliminating threats swiftly and decisively.

With ir mission accomplished, sub-groups retreated just before daybreak, navigating treacherous terrain of LoC with same precision y had demonstrated throughout operation.

Hours after, Director General Military Operations, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on September 29, 2016, gave historic address to nation. "Based on very credible and specific information which we received yesterday that some terrorist teams had positioned mselves at launch pads along Line of Control with an aim to carry out infiltration and terrorist strikes in Jammu & Kashmir and in various or metros in our country, Indian army conducted surgical strikes last night at se launch pads."