Military historian and aviation analyst Tom Cooper has described India as the clear winner in the recent air confrontation with Pakistan, following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. In an interview with India Today, Cooper outlined how India demonstrated superior military strategy, adaptability, and execution, decisively shifting the balance in its favour during the clash.
Key Points from Tom Cooper’s Analysis:
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Pakistan was losing the air battle from May 7 to May 9, Cooper noted, as it became increasingly evident through open-source intelligence and social media updates.
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The Pakistani ground-based air defence systems were struck, and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had to pull back from the border areas, ceding critical airspace to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
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This allowed the IAF to operate closer to Pakistani airspace and conduct deep-strike missions, significantly degrading Pakistan’s retaliatory capability.
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In a particularly striking claim, Cooper said India targeted not only airbases but also Pakistani nuclear weapons storage facilities — a move he acknowledged as contrary to official Indian statements but claimed to have credible backing.
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He highlighted that the IAF's quick strategic switch was key: “All of a sudden, the politics changed its opinion,” suggesting that India's military was finally given operational freedom to act with speed and intensity.
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Cooper stressed that India's military capability was always known, but this was the first time it had been demonstrated so aggressively and effectively, noting, “Within 24 hours, India showed that it can hit Pakistan this hard.”
Timeline of Key Events:
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May 7: India launches Operation Sindoor, hitting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
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May 8–9: Pakistan responds with missile and drone attacks on Indian border towns. However, its air defences are overwhelmed, and its air force is forced to retreat from the frontline.
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May 10 (Pre-dawn): The IAF executes precision strikes on 11 Pakistani military sites, including major airbases at Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot.
Strategic Implications:
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This marks a notable escalation in India’s military posture, with deep-penetration strikes that go beyond symbolic retaliation.
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It also signals a shift in India’s rules of engagement, where previously constrained political oversight appears to have given way to more assertive military freedom.
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The alleged targeting of nuclear-related infrastructure, if confirmed, represents a significant moment in regional deterrence dynamics and raises serious strategic questions for Pakistan.
Conclusion:
Tom Cooper's insights portray this confrontation as a turning point in South Asian air power dynamics, with India demonstrating both military readiness and political resolve. His comments underline a broader message: that India is no longer content with reactive strategies and is now willing to project force decisively when provoked — a development that will likely reverberate across global security and diplomatic circles.
