Afrida Rahman Ali, Executive Editor of The Free Press Journal, speaks to Dr. S.P. Vaid, former Director General of Police, Jammu & Kashmir, on the strategic impact and emotional resonance of India's Operation Sindoor.
Afrida Rahman Ali: Dr. Vaid, welcome. You've seen Masood Azhar at close quarters. How did you react to his emotional outburst following the Operation Sindoor strikes?
Dr. S.P. Vaid: Namaskar, Afrida. I was shocked to see Masood Azhar crying for his 10 family members and 4 close aides killed in the strikes. I instantly recalled the Kandahar hijack of IC-814 in 1999 when I was DIG Jammu. I had to escort him from Kot Bhalwal Jail to a special flight. That day, he smirked, knowing he was being released. To see the same man weep was a moment of poetic justice.
Afrida: You said it felt like he finally understood the pain he inflicted?
Vaid: Absolutely. He orchestrated attacks that killed hundreds. Now, he has tasted a fraction of that loss. This isn’t vengeance—it’s justice. And it signals that India will no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism.
Afrida: The MEA briefing pointed out that the Pakistani narrative claims civilian casualties. Do you believe this has been effectively countered?
Vaid: Yes. The presence of Pakistan Army officials at the funerals, where coffins were wrapped in national flags, debunks the civilian myth. These were high-profile terrorists. I tweeted: “State actors and non-state actors together.” That’s the reality.
Afrida: There were accusations of India targeting religious sites. Your view?
Vaid: That’s false. If a madrasa or mosque is being used to radicalize youth and house terrorists, it becomes a terror camp. India has hit only those structures proven to be bases for attacks. Pakistan misuses religion, and then hides behind it.
Afrida: What does Operation Sindoor signal in terms of India’s military capacity?
Vaid: It’s a clear demonstration of precision capability. All nine targets were hit surgically. No civilian harm. The world watched. It was well-coordinated between Army, Navy, Air Force and intelligence agencies. India has arrived as a force that acts, not just reacts.
Afrida: Yet Pakistan remains defiant. Do you think declaring it a terror state is necessary?
Vaid: Without a doubt. Pakistan has been the root of terror plots across the world—from the US to Russia to Europe. The generals there have dual citizenships and palatial homes abroad. They radicalize youth and sell their country for dollars. India should lead the global call to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terror.
Afrida: You touched upon the radicalization of youth in Pakistan. Could you elaborate?
Vaid: From my experience interrogating terrorists, many were young boys pulled out of prisons and brainwashed. They were told lies like Muslims aren’t allowed to pray in India. This is systematic indoctrination using religion as a weapon. Pakistan doesn’t care about Kashmiris—it cares only about territory.
Afrida: Lastly, the optics at the MEA briefing—two women officers, Col. Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh—sent a powerful message. What did that symbolize to you?
Vaid: That’s the soul of India. Women, from different faiths, standing together as warriors. It was a direct reply to those terrorists who told victims to go tell Modi. Well, Modi sent his answer through empowered Indian women. That unity is India’s real strength.
Afrida: Thank you so much, Dr. Vaid, for sharing your experience and clarity. Your words help decode not just a military operation, but a national message.
Vaid: Thank you, Afrida. Jai Hind.
