Ten years ago, on the night of September 28-29, 2016, India carried out a cross-Line of Control operation against alleged terrorist launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation came days after the deadly Uri terror attack in which 18 Indian Army soldiers were killed.

The 2016 surgical strikes became a significant moment in India's publicly stated response to cross-border terrorism. They also marked a notable change in the way India signalled its willingness to conduct military operations across the Line of Control while simultaneously seeking to avoid a wider escalation.

A decade later, accounts from former 15 Corps commander Lieutenant General Satish Dua provide further details about the planning, preparations and execution of the operation.

What Happened in the Uri Attack?

On September 18, 2016, heavily armed terrorists attacked an Indian Army administrative base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Indian Army's account released at the time, the attack began at around 5:30 am and involved four terrorists. The attackers used automatic weapons and incendiary ammunition, causing temporary shelters and Army tents to catch fire.

The attack took place during a routine turnover of military units, when personnel from two units were present in the area. The resulting fire intensified the casualties.

The Army subsequently reported that four attackers had been killed. It recovered weapons and other material, including AK-47 rifles, grenade launchers, GPS devices and items bearing Pakistani markings.

The attack left 18 Indian soldiers dead and triggered widespread calls for a strong response.

How Was the Surgical Strike Planned?

Lieutenant General Satish Dua, who was then commander of the Army's 15 Corps, has recalled that the idea of a cross-LoC operation emerged during discussions following the Uri attack.

According to his account, then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar met senior military commanders after visiting Jammu and Kashmir. The possibility of targeting terrorist camps across the LoC was discussed, including the risks to Indian soldiers and concerns about civilian casualties.

Dua has said that the Army wanted control over the selection of targets and the timing of the operation. Once political approval was obtained, military planners and Special Forces teams began preparing for the mission.

The planning reportedly continued for more than 10 days. Teams examined routes, targets, possible Pakistani responses and withdrawal plans. Mock-ups were reportedly used for rehearsals, while information about the operation was kept strictly confidential.

The emphasis on secrecy was intended to preserve the element of surprise and reduce the possibility of the operation being detected before the commandos reached their targets.

The Night of September 28-29, 2016

The operation began in the early hours of September 29.

Indian Special Forces crossed the Line of Control and moved towards the selected targets. According to accounts from military officials, the teams encountered difficult terrain and had to negotiate defensive obstacles while maintaining operational secrecy.

Multiple alleged terrorist targets were attacked. One target reportedly included a fuel and petroleum storage area, resulting in a large explosion. After completing their objectives, the teams began their withdrawal towards the Indian side.

According to Dua's account, all Indian soldiers returned safely and no Indian soldier was injured during the operation.

The Indian government subsequently made the operation public.

India Informed Pakistan Through the DGMO Hotline

One of the important aspects of the operation was that India publicly acknowledged the strikes rather than treating them as an undisclosed military action.

India's then Director General of Military Operations, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, informed his Pakistani counterpart about the operation. India said the strikes had targeted terrorist launch pads across the LoC and were conducted in response to terrorist threats and the Uri attack.

The Indian side also communicated that it did not want further escalation. The official statement described the operation as targeting terrorist infiltration preparations across the LoC.

This combination of military action and subsequent communication with Pakistan became an important feature of India's handling of the episode.

What Changed After the 2016 Surgical Strikes?

The surgical strikes became an important reference point in India's publicly articulated counter-terrorism policy.

Before 2016, India had repeatedly responded to cross-border infiltration and attacks through a combination of defensive operations, diplomatic pressure and military action along the LoC. The September 2016 operation publicly demonstrated India's willingness to acknowledge a limited cross-LoC strike against alleged terrorist infrastructure.

The Ministry of External Affairs' 2016-17 annual report described the surgical strikes as part of India's response to continuing cross-border terrorism and ceasefire violations. The report also said these developments had undermined efforts to normalise relations with Pakistan.

The diplomatic consequences extended beyond bilateral relations. Several South Asian countries supported postponing the 2016 SAARC summit that had been scheduled to take place in Islamabad, with the regional environment and terrorism concerns cited in the diplomatic context.

From Uri to Balakot

The 2016 operation was later followed by another major Indian military action after the February 2019 Pulwama terror attack.

In February 2019, India conducted an airstrike at Balakot in Pakistan, describing it as an operation against a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp. The episode represented a different form of military action, extending the pattern of publicly acknowledged strikes against alleged terrorist infrastructure beyond the immediate LoC area.

The 2016 surgical strikes therefore became part of a broader sequence of India's evolving responses to cross-border terrorism.

Why the 2016 Operation Remains Significant

The significance of the surgical strikes extends beyond the military operation itself.

It demonstrated the importance of intelligence, Special Forces preparation, secrecy, target selection and coordinated decision-making in a high-risk operation.

It also introduced a new element into India-Pakistan crisis management: India publicly acknowledged a cross-LoC strike while simultaneously communicating that it did not seek further escalation.

Later accounts by military officials have also highlighted how the operation influenced thinking about subsequent counter-terrorism responses.

Key Highlights

• The Uri terror attack took place on September 18, 2016.
• Eighteen Indian Army soldiers were killed in the attack.
• Four attackers were reported killed by the Indian Army.
• The surgical strike took place during the night of September 28-29, 2016.
• Indian Special Forces crossed the Line of Control to attack alleged terrorist launch pads.
• Military accounts say the operation involved extensive planning and rehearsals.
• According to Lieutenant General Satish Dua's account, the Indian teams returned safely.
• India subsequently informed Pakistan through the Directors General of Military Operations.
• India said the operation was conducted in response to the Uri attack and terrorist infiltration threats.
• The operation became a major reference point in India's publicly stated counter-terrorism strategy.
• India's 2016-17 annual report linked continued cross-border terrorism and ceasefire violations with difficulties in normalising relations with Pakistan.

Professional Disclaimer & Third-Party Reference

This article is based on publicly available information and historical accounts from official Government of India sources, the Ministry of External Affairs, Press Information Bureau records and contemporary reporting by established news organisations. Accounts of operational details, target locations, casualty estimates and military decision-making can vary between sources and subsequent recollections. Readers should consult primary government records and original reporting for additional context.

Conclusion

Ten years after the September 2016 surgical strikes, the operation remains an important chapter in the history of India-Pakistan relations. The events that began with the Uri attack led to a carefully planned cross-LoC military operation and were followed by a period of heightened diplomatic and military tensions.

The episode also became an important reference point for understanding India's evolving approach to cross-border terrorism, particularly when viewed alongside subsequent developments such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike.