For the first time, India used “red teaming” during Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan
Red teaming involves bringing in a group of experts who understand the enemy’s mindset and tactics. Their role is to challenge the plan, anticipate possible enemy responses, and ensure the overall strategy is robust and effective.
Sources told that this was the first time the Indian military had applied red teaming in a real-world operation. It marks a shift in India’s strategic approach, signalling a move towards a more flexible and anticipatory model for cross-border missions.
Red teaming has long been a core element of military planning in other countries—particularly during the Cold War, when it was used to anticipate Soviet strategies. The term comes from war games in which the “red team” plays the role of the enemy, launching simulated attacks to test the preparedness of the “blue team”.
According to the report, the red team was embedded within the broader operational planning process and consisted of five senior officers drawn from various commands and postings across the country.
Pahalgam terror attack and Pakistan links
India has directly blamed Pakistan for the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people—mostly tourists—were brutally killed by militants based in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s ongoing policy of supporting terrorism as a tool of statecraft has once again come under international scrutiny.
In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on 7 May—a significant anti-terror strike targeting camps and infrastructure in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
