The term “surgical strike” gained popularity in India after the Indian Army’s 2016 operation across the Line of Control. But do you know what that really is? A surgical strike is a military operation in which a specific target is hit with precision while limiting the scope of the attack and today, we tell you exactly what it means.
What is a Surgical Strike?
Let us start by understanding what a surgical strike is. But before we start, please know that a surgical strike is a specific kind of military operation, and not the name of the 2016 operation carried out by the Indian Army only.
“Surgical” refers to the focused nature of an operation, whereas “strike” means hitting a target with precision. Hence, the aim of a surgical strike is manifold:
- Identifying specific targets before the operation
- Using intelligence for planning the operation
- Restricting the strike to particular objectives
- Reducing collateral damage and casualties
- Completing the task at hand timely
Hence, a surgical strike is based on precision, accurate planning, and a clearly defined goal. It is different from a full-fledged attack due to its scope.
Reasons For Conducting A Surgical Strike
This brings us to our next big question: Why is a surgical strike conducted in the first place? Please know that generally such an operation is conducted to address a particular threat without waging a full-fledged war. Some of the common reasons why a surgical strike may happen are as follows:
- To target a specific threat which could be related to security or otherwise
- To counter infiltration, such as the 2016 Surgical Strike which targeted the launchpads of terrorists
- To reduce the scope of military action and avoid a full scale war against the enemy
- To showcase military prowess or strength without indulging in a direct conflict
Planning of a Surgical Strike
But, have you ever wondered how a surgical strike is planned? Well, to be sure, the actual process of planning such a military operation remains confidential, but we can make sense of what goes on in the backend through information available in open sources. The rough outline for a surgical strike includes the following:
Gathering intelligence
The first step to any military operation is gathering intelligence, which forms the basis of the future actions. Hence, once the idea of striking the enemy is born, the intelligence agencies gather relevant information through different means, which is then converted into reliable intelligence.
This is eventually shared with the troops to build foolproof strategy. It can include information about the target, its location, abilities, and nature of threat among other things.
Planning of the mission
Once the intelligence is gathered and shared with the relevant authorities, planning begins. This includes high-ranking officials who determine how the surgical strike will be carried out, what weapons will be used, and what constraints may be faced.
Please know that this is one of the most confidential parts of the mission, and to ensure success, very few people in the military know of the exact details.
Selection of forces
Next comes the selection of forces, that is, the men who will carry out the operation on ground. We must understand that each mission has its own constraints and requires specialized personnel. Hence, the military leadership chooses them accordingly.
For example, in 2016, when the Indian Army had to cross the LoC and neutralize its targets, the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) was selected for the mission due to their ability to carry out operations deep inside enemy land.
Coordination and execution
After selection comes the coordination part, in which high-ranking government officials are informed about the plan, and the forces who will be executing it. Generally, the Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and the National Security Advisor are the first ones to be briefed.
You must have seen this in the 2019 movie “Uri: The Surgical Strike” in which there was a constant communication between the government officials, military commanders, intelligence agencies, and the on-ground troops. Something similar happens in reality too.
Extraction from hostile territory
However, mere execution of the surgical strike does not complete the mission. Its completion requires extraction of all personnel involved from the hostile territory.
Again, this was also depicted in “Uri: The Surgical Strike” in which Major Vihaan Singh Shergill (a fictional character inspired by real heroes and played by Vicky Kaushal) ensured that all his men returned safely to domestic territory.
Final Thoughts
As we have shared already, a surgical strike is a precise military operation which is conducted to achieve a specific target without giving rise to a full scale conflict between those involved. However, in India, it resonates more with the 2016 mission, which gained a lot of traction and inspired the youth as well.
Irrespective of how you relate to the term, a surgical strike is the perfect example of military planning, precision, and coordination which culminates into a successful operation by courageous personnel.
