"Pakistan will retaliate but it will be symbolic": Defence expert Govind Sisodiya on Op Sindoor

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 7 (ANI): Pakistan's retaliation following India's special precision munitions strike during 'Operation Sindoor' is most likely a symbolic one and any significant escalation would be unwise for Pakistan, given its limited military, diplomatic, and financial capabilities, says defence expert Brigadier (retd) Govind Sisodiya on Wednesday.
Speaking on the operation, launched during the early hours of Wednesday, in response to the april 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Sisodiya said that the strike was expected and emphasised that India's actions were precise and measured as they aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure. "The airstrike that took place was on an expected line, as India has conveyed it to the world and Pakistan that we will hit back strongly and we did that... We also took care that we didn't hit civilian areas or military targets. Now it is up to Pakistan how they take it. It will also be foolish for Pakistan if it strikes back," he stated.
"It is expected that Pakistan will retaliate but it will be a symbolic one to show their people that they have taken action... Pakistan is not in such a situation that it can fight India nor does it have that much strength. Be it in military power, diplomatic power or financial power," said Brigadier (retd) Sisodiya, who led the NSG operations during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
He noted that Pakistan should not pursue further and cooperate with India by handing over perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and other terrorists.
"It will be in the interest of Pakistan not to pursue this further and cooperate with India... It will be good for Pakistan to return the accused of the 26/11 attacks and other terrorists... Otherwise, Pakistan will cease to exist," he stated.
The retired brigadier's remarks come following the Indian Armed Forces successfully striking nine terror targets using special precision munitions in a coordinated operation called Operation Sindoor, destroying four in Pakistan, including Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot, and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), sources told ANI.
The operation was jointly carried out by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, with the mobilisation of assets and troops. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was constantly monitoring Operation Sindoor throughout the night, sources confirmed to ANI.
The strikes on all nine targets were successful, sources further revealed. The Indian forces selected the locations to target top Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leaders involved in sponsoring terrorist activities in India. (ANI)