Operation Sindoor, carried out in May 2025, involved precise airstrikes by Indian forces on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. Now, the Air Force is set to organize its largest air exercise in the Northeastern region. This drill will run from September 25 to October 16, 2025.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued, encompassing vast territories of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur, areas close to the Chinese border. This section also includes the airspace of Bhutan and Myanmar.
Exercise Dates and Area
This is a 22-day validation exercise starting on September 25, 2025, at 2 PM and concluding on October 16, 2025, at 6:29 PM. The focus will be on the Siliguri Corridor, known as the 'Chicken Neck', only 22 km wide.
Source: aajtak
This corridor links five crore people of Northeast India to the rest of the country. If blocked, the Northeast could be isolated. The exercise is the largest since Operation Sindoor, with the armed forces on high alert along all borders. It will ensure the IAF's operational readiness.
What was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a bold military action by India in response to a terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 innocent lives. On May 7, 2025, early dawn, India executed precision airstrikes on nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), targeting Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed camps.
Source: aajtak
The Indian Air Force used Rafale, Sukhoi-30, and BrahMos missiles, completing the operation with fewer than 50 weapons. India claimed to have eliminated 70-100 terrorists, showcasing a new strategy to use full air power over drones to achieve political and strategic objectives. Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan noted the operation's success with all pilots returning safely.
The Strategic Importance of the Northeast Region
Northeast India holds significant strategic importance, bordered by China, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The Siliguri Corridor is the most sensitive link between Bengal and Assam. If seized by China or any adversary, it could cut off the Northeast. In recent years, tensions have been noteworthy here...
2020 India-China border dispute in the Sikkim sector.
2022 clashes in Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh).
Doklam Plateau, a flashpoint between India-China and Bhutan, witnessed a 73-day standoff in 2017.
Source: aajtak
India has bolstered its military presence in this area. Trishakti Corps (17 Mountain Division) has been strengthened, stationed in the Northeast. Advanced air defense systems like the S-400 are deployed. A Rafale fighter jet squadron is stationed at Hasimara Airbase to partake in this exercise.
What to Expect in the Exercise?
This exercise focuses on enhancing the IAF’s operational readiness. There will be joint air-ground operations involving frontline aircraft from several air bases, such as Rafale, Sukhoi-30, Mig-29, and Tejas. The Siliguri Corridor remains a key area for aerial assaults, defenses, and rapid deployments.
The IAF conducts such exercises annually, such as Gagan Shakti or Vayu Shakti, but this will be the largest in the Northeast. It showcases India’s capabilities on an international stage.
India's Military Preparation and Future
After Operation Sindoor, India has revamped its military strategy, opting for direct actions in response to proxy wars. Expanding deployments in the Northeast sends a signal to China. The IAF is focused on modernization, like the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. This exercise will not only enhance preparedness but also strengthen international collaborations. Experts state it will maintain regional stability.
