Decoding The Modi Playbook On Catching Enemy Unawares Ahead Of Operation Sindoor

Last Updated:May 07, 2025, 16:19 IST

As Operation Sindoor was loading, PM Narendra Modi kept attending events, inaugurating projects and even announced the UK trade agreement and security drill to distract Pakistan

BJP releases a video of PM Modi, hailing him for the government's action on terror camps. (File Image)

Within hours of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, PM Narendra Modi, who cut short his Dubai trip, vowed justice. The massacre of 26 in Kashmir led to several diplomatic measures, but Indians, whose blood was boiling over the point-blank range head shots and religious profiling, were awaiting revenge.

Even as the PM had several closed-door meetings with top defence officials and ministers, there was one thing he kept doing, especially for Pakistan – attending events, inaugurating projects and even announcing a trade agreement to show things were going as usual in India. The Home Ministry went a step further, announcing a security drill on May 7, thus showing India was still working on its response.

All of this while and because Operation Sindoor was loading.

And the distractions worked. As India struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) early Wednesday morning, Pakistan was caught unawares, leading to even its locals questioning the preparedness.

Events to announcements, the strategy in the run-up to Operation Sindoor that helped keep Pakistan distracted:

WAVES in Mumbai: PM Modi on May 1 attended the World Audiovisual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, where he declared the rise of India’s orange economy, the creative economy encompassing music, films, food, gaming, and animation.Port Launch in Thiruvananthpuram: PM Modi on May 2 dedicated the Rs 8,800-crore Vizhinjam Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport to the nation. He asserted that India’s money will now serve India and the funds that once flowed outside the country will now generate new economic opportunities for Kerala and Vizhinjam’s people.Mock Drills: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on May 5 ordered to conduct mock drills at 244 districts across the country on May 7 for “effective civil defence". All government social media handles posted about it.India-UK FTA: The Prime Ministers of India and the United Kingdom announced on May 6 that both nations have completed a free trade agreement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post welcomed the successful conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement along with the Double Contribution Convention.Media Summit: Modi addressed a TV news channel’s summit on May 6.MEA: While the MEA kept preparing for next visit of PM Modi, it kept inviting journalists and foreign dignitaries for lunches and dinners.NOTAM for pre-planned exercise in Rajasthan: The Indian Air Force’s two-day mega military exercise in Rajasthan, along the Border with Pakistan, was announced from May 7. The IAF has termed it a pre-planned routine training exercise that will involve all the frontline fighter jets, including Rafale, Sukhoi-30 and Jaguar aircraft. The NOTAM or Notice to Airmen was issued by the Airport Authority of India.‘Strategic Silence’: The MEA and Defence Forces have maintained silence since the Pahalgam terror attack. The MEA has not even responded to ‘Closed Door Briefing’ of Pakistan at UNSC.Measured response: While Modi, Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke about the Pahalgam attack, Yojna Patel raised it in the UN.Location : First Published:

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