It was in the dark of the night, when people of both the neighbouring countries were fast asleep, that the Indian Armed Forces, in a coordinated effort, identified and destroyed nine terrorist camps spread across Pakistan and PoK’s Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Tehra Kalan, Muzaffarabad, Kotli and Bhimber. Later during the media briefing, Col Sophia Qureshi termed the operation a direct rebuttal against Pakistan to serve justice to the innocent lives lost during the barbaric Pahalgam attack on April 22. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh informed that niche weapons were deployed to ensure that there is no collateral damage. So far, India has shown restraint in response by only attacking terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen.

 

This operation was not just a calibrated and strategic approach, it also holds a metaphorical reference deeper than we can imagine. To begin with, what impressed me a lot is the naming of this campaign against terror- ‘Operation Sindoor’, sindoor being the vermilion applied by married Hindu women in the parting of their hair. The red-coloured powder symbolises commitment, well- being we well as divine feminine energy. The centre parting of the hair where it is applied scientifically is considered as an energy centre in Ayurveda. Sindoor, as per Hindu mythology, is also the union of the divine Shiva and Shakti. In this operation, sindoor also stands for bloodshed of the terrorists, thus reflecting the commitment of the Forces towards its nation and its well-being. The press briefings led by women in this case reflects the power of woman and her devotion for safety of those whom she loves, be it her family or friends or her motherland.

 

The operation is beyond a measured, calibrated and structured operation. It was the activation of Shakti, a response when boundaries are crossed and values aren’t honoured. Its not revenge but also a responsibility to uphold dignity and order. While no amount of social media mourning, rallies and candle marches can ever serve justice to the innocent lives lost, Operation Sindoor will always hold significance history for this country. It will remind people of how a country’s combined rage fought against the assailants. Red is the colour of the vermilion. Red is the colour of love. Red is also the colour of rage. This time, it is a mix of all three emotions, but more of rage. It is the colour of a nation’s determination to ensure that it is able to bring the perpetrators of April 22nd’s heinous act to justice. This red marks the awakening of the Shakti.