KEY POINTS
- India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7
- SkyStriker loitering drones were used for the first time by the Navy
- The operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack
On May 7, in the early hours of the morning, India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting nine places linked to the terrorist groups Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The operation used precision weapons from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
One of the key weapons used was the SkyStriker drone, a special kind of drone called a loitering munition or “suicide drone”. This was the first time the Indian Army used this drone in action since they added it to their weapons after the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The Army had signed a deal in 2021 to buy 120 SkyStriker drones under emergency powers, because of tensions with Pakistan.
India’s Pinpoint Precision Hits Terror Camps with Deadly Accuracy
These drones are made in Bengaluru by Adani’s Alpha Design, in partnership with Israel’s Elbit Systems. The SkyStriker is known for being low-cost, quiet, and very accurate. It can fly up to 100 kilometers, carry 5 to 10 kg of explosives, and hover in the air until it finds the right target. Once it locks onto the target, it crashes into it and explodes.
Depending on how much weight it carries, it can stay in the air for up to 2 hours. It also uses electric power, which makes it very quiet and hard to detect, making it perfect for secret operations at low heights.
New-Gen Weapons Back Troops With Precision And Power
The SkyStriker drone is a special type of unmanned aircraft (UAV) that is designed to destroy its target by crashing into it. It works on its own (autonomous) and can follow and attack a target chosen by the operator. One of its biggest strengths is that it gives the operator a lot of control and flexibility. For example, if needed, the operator can stop the drone’s attack just 2 seconds before impact and try again later. If the drone doesn’t find a target, it can safely return to its base.
The drone can attack a target from any direction and at different angles. It can dive very fast—up to 300 knots—and still work well even if wind speeds are high (up to 20 knots). It’s useful for helping regular soldiers as well as special forces who need to hit targets accurately without being directly involved in combat.
Loitering munitions like the SkyStriker have made the Indian military stronger by allowing it to destroy enemy targets with high accuracy—without putting soldiers in danger. During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Navy used loitering munitions (a type of advanced drone weapon) for the first time to destroy terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to sources reported by Times Now.
In this major operation, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force worked together to target and eliminate terrorist hideouts. This action was taken to avenge the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, where many innocent people were killed.
What Is Loitering Munition ?
A loitering munition, also called a suicide drone or kamikaze drone, is a special type of weapon that flies in the air and waits above a target area. Once it finds the right target, it crashes into it and explodes. These drones can work on their own or be controlled by a human.
Loitering munitions are useful for hitting hidden or quick-moving targets that may not stay visible for long. Unlike regular bombs or missiles, these drones give the operator more control—they can change the target while the drone is flying or even cancel the mission if needed. Some similar systems are also being developed for use underwater.
India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the recent precision airstrikes were part of “Operation Sindoor.” The goal was to destroy nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The ministry said the strikes were focused, controlled, and not meant to start a bigger conflict. They also made it clear that no Pakistani military bases were attacked.
This operation was carried out in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 innocent civilians were killed.
About Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is a distinguished officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF), known for her exceptional skills and leadership. She played a pivotal role in co-leading the media briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor,’ India’s targeted strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22, 2025.
Hailing from a family with no prior military background, Wing Commander Singh was inspired by her childhood ambition to serve in the armed forces. Her determination led her to join the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and later pursue engineering studies, eventually leading to her commissioning into the IAF.
About Sophia Qureshi
Colonel Sophia Qureshi is a respected officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals. She made history at a young age by becoming the first female officer to lead an Army group at a big international military event. In March 2016, she led the Indian Army at ‘Exercise Force 18’, one of the largest military exercises hosted by India. The event included countries like India, Japan, China, Russia, the United States, Korea, New Zealand, and Australia, along with members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Sofiya Qureshi made history by becoming the first woman officer to lead an Army contingent at a multinational military exercise. This exercise, called Exercise Force 18, was the largest foreign military exercise ever hosted by India.
Comments