A military operation is a coordinated and planned action conducted by a nation’s armed forces to achieve a specific goal whether combat-based or humanitarian. Operations may involve the Army, Navy, Air Force, or a combination of forces, and are executed to meet tactical, operational, or strategic objectives. These could include defending national borders, evacuating citizens, conducting peacekeeping, or providing relief during natural disasters.
Military Operations in India Since Independence
Since 1947, India has carried out a wide range of combat, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations both within the country and overseas. These missions reflect the country’s evolving military doctrine and readiness to respond to crises swiftly and effectively.
Recent Notable Military Operations
Operation Mahadev
A joint counter-terror operation launched by the Indian Army (Chinar Corps), CRPF, and J&K Police in Srinagar to neutralize the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack of April 2025.
Operation Sindoor
A strategic air and missile strike across the LoC and inside Pakistan-administered Kashmir, targeting terror infrastructure in response to the Pahalgam massacre.
Operation Polo
Launched to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union, marking decisive military action for territorial consolidation.
Operation Vijay
Aimed to liberate Goa, Daman & Diu from Portuguese rule and integrate them into the Republic of India.
Operation Cactus Lilly
Indian Air Force-led support during the Indo–Pakistan War, paving the way for Bangladesh’s liberation.
Operation Trident
A landmark naval assault on Karachi port during the Bangladesh Liberation War. India celebrates Navy Day on 4 December in its honour.
Operation Meghdoot
High-altitude mission to occupy the Siachen Glacier, pre-empting Pakistan and establishing control over the world’s highest battlefield.
Operation Blue Star
Army operation to remove armed militants holed up inside the Golden Temple, Amritsar, amid the height of the Khalistan movement.
Operation Cactus
A tri-service mission preventing a coup in the Maldives at the request of its government—one of India’s most successful international interventions.
Operation Rajiv
Indian Army captured Quaid Post from Pakistan in Siachen and renamed it Bana Post after Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain Bana Singh.
Operation Pawan
Undertaken by the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka to contain the LTTE insurgency.
Operation Vijay
Code name for pushing back infiltrators during the Kargil War (not to be confused with the 1961 Goa Liberation operation).
Operation Talwar
A naval operation that blockaded Pakistan’s ports during the Kargil conflict.
Operation Parakram
Massive military mobilisation on the western front after the 2001 Parliament attack, resulting in a year-long standoff.
Operation Black Tornado
NSG-led rescue mission during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, neutralizing terrorists holed up inside the Taj Hotel and other locations.
Military Operations by Indian Army
| Operation Name | Year(s) | Region / Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Steeplechase | 1971 | Naxalite strongholds in Red Corridor |
| Amalgamation of Sikkim | 1975 | Peaceful integration of Sikkim into India |
| Woodrose / Mand | 1984–86 | Punjab (Anti-insurgency after Blue Star) |
| Shivalik | 1985 | Coordinated internal security ops |
| Black Thunder I & II | 1986, 1988 | Golden Temple clean-up missions |
| Bluebird | 1987 | Retaliatory strike in Manipur |
| Night Dominance | 1990–94 | Punjab militancy night patrols |
| Rakshak I | 1990 | Punjab anti-insurgency campaign |
| Vadhi Pahar | 1991 | Militant flush-out operation in Punjab |
| Election | 1992 | Security for Punjab Assembly elections |
| Sarp Vinash | 2003 | J&K foreign terrorist elimination |
| All Out | 1990s | Operation to root out terrorism from Kashmir |
| Myanmar Strikes | 2015 | Cross-border anti-insurgency raids |
| Calm Down | 2016 | Post-Burhan Wani unrest in J&K |
| Randori Behak | 2020 | Elimination of terrorists near LOC |
| Devi Shakti | 2021 | Evacuation from Afghanistan |
| Ganga | 2022 | Evacuation of Indians from Ukraine |
Military Operations by Indian Navy
Indian Navy Operations Timeline
| Operation Name | Year | Objective / Region |
|---|---|---|
| Vijay (Goa) | 1961 | Naval support during Goa liberation |
| Trident | 1971 | Strike on Karachi harbour |
| Python | 1971 | Follow-up strike after Trident |
| Cactus | 1988 | Maldives intervention |
| Talwar | 1999 | Naval positioning during Kargil War |
| Sukoon | 2006 | Evacuation from Lebanon |
| Sea Waves / Madad / Castor | 2004 | Tsunami relief operations |
| Raahat | 2015 | Yemen evacuation mission |
| Nistar | 2018 | Cyclone rescue near Yemen’s Socotra Island |
| Searchlight | 2014 | MH17 debris retrieval mission |
Military Operations by Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force Operations Timeline
| Operation Name | Year | Region / Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Meghna Heli Bridge | 1971 | Bangladesh Liberation War |
| Meghdoot | 1984 | Airlift to Siachen Glacier |
| Poomalai | 1987 | Humanitarian air-drop in Sri Lanka |
| Cactus | 1988 | Air deployment during Maldives crisis |
| Safed Sagar | 1999 | Kargil air offensive |
| Rahat | 2013 | Uttarakhand flood rescue |
| Maitri | 2015 | Nepal earthquake relief |
| Sankat Mochan | 2016 | Evacuation from South Sudan |
| Insaniyat | 2017 | Rohingya refugee relief in Bangladesh |
| Bandar | 2019 | Balakot airstrikes |
| Ganga | 2022 | Ukraine evacuation during war |
| Dost | 2023 | Earthquake relief in Turkey & Syria |
Conclusion
India’s military operations reflect the evolving challenges and rising global role of the country’s armed forces. From high-altitude battles like Siachen, counter-terror missions like Mahadev, to disaster relief operations like Ganga and Dost, Indian forces continue to uphold their motto: Service Before Self.