Produced by: Tarun Mishra
The Indian Armed Forces have a storied history of undertaking various operations to safeguard national security and address critical situations both within and beyond the nation's borders. Here's an overview of ten notable military operations conducted by the Indian Armed Forces.
In November 2008, the National Security Guard (NSG) executed Operation Black Tornado during the Mumbai terrorist attacks, successfully rescuing hostages from Nariman Point, Taj Hotel, and Oberoi Hotel.
Conducted in 1999 by the Indian Air Force and Army, Operation Vijay or Kargil War, aimed to reclaim Indian posts occupied by terrorists. The operation saw heroic actions by soldiers such as Vikram Batra, Manoj Pandey, and Anuj Nayyar.
Launched in 1988 to quell unrest in the Maldives, Operation Cactus saw India swiftly responding to a plea for assistance from Maldivian President Abdul Gayoom, averting a coup.
Initiated in April 1984, Operation Meghdoot secured the Siachen glacier after both India and Pakistan allowed mountaineering expeditions in the area, establishing control over the highest battlefield.
In 1987, the Indian Peacekeeping Force executed Operation Pawan to reclaim Jaffna from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), with 216 soldiers making the ultimate sacrifice.
Operation Rahat, conducted by the Indian Air Force in 2013, involved the rescue and evacuation of thousands stranded in Uttarakhand floods, marking one of the largest air force operations in years.
Responding to floods in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, the Indian Army launched Operation Meghrahat, saving numerous lives and tirelessly working to aid stranded civilians.
To rescue Indian citizens from Yemen amidst airstrikes by Saudi Arabia, Operation Raahat was undertaken, led by Former Army General V.K. Singh, with Air India and IAF facilitating evacuations.
The Indian Army's surgical strike in 2016 and the Balakot airstrike in 2019 targeted suspected militants in Pakistani-administered Kashmir and terrorist camps in Balakot, respectively, in response to escalating security threats.