Operation Sindoor, India's counterstrike against Pahalgam terror attack, is a defining moment

New Delhi, May 16 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lauded ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s counterstrike in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives

A new Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday in North Block, New Delhi. The centre, which comes under the Intelligence Bureau, is tasked with facilitating seamless coordination and real-time intelligence sharing among various intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra, and Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Dhritarashtra.

The upgraded centre aims to streamline response mechanisms and boost India's preparedness against both internal and external security threats.

Speaking at the event, HM Shah highlighted the importance of a future-ready security ecosystem as the government is focused on building a robust national security infrastructure capable of countering evolving challenges, particularly terrorism and insurgency.

“India now operates on a proactive, not reactive, security doctrine,” HM Shah noted.

The home minister further lauded ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s counterstrike in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, as a defining moment in the nation’s evolving security architecture.

“Operation Sindoor is a unique symbol of PM Modi’s determination, our intelligence agencies’ precision, and the impeccable striking capability of our three armed forces,” HM Shah said.

The operation, launched after the Pahalgam attack, drew global attention due to the intensity of the four-day-long hostilities between India and Pakistan. It culminated in an ‘understanding’ on May 10. India had earlier warned that “any act of terror will be considered an act of war”, signaling a clear departure from past restraint.

The Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) has been a crucial institution in the Indian intelligence community since its establishment in 1988. It serves as the central coordinating point for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence from various agencies, including the IB, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and state police units.

The inauguration of the new MAC and the recent large-scale deployment of troops in the northern Ladakh region for 'Operation Black Forest' are part of a broader strategic shift in India's national security doctrine, experts say.

It is an indication of the fact that the government appears determined to institutionalise a proactive, intelligence-led framework to combat threats from terrorism, insurgency, and cross-border militancy, security observers believe.