The NCERT’s new module on Operation Sindoor for school students stated that the Pahalgam attack was “directly ordered by Pakistan’s military and political leadership”, and that the Indian Air Force “took out command and control centres, radars, surface-to-air guided weapons, runways, and hangars with aircraft” during the operation, breaching Pakistan’s air defence and “creating visible gaps that the world saw”.

The module described Operation Sindoor as “a military success, a technological breakthrough, and a political message all rolled into one”.

Two separate modules were released, one for the preparatory and middle stage classes 3 to 8, and another for the secondary stage classes 9 to 12.

The NCERT modules, which were different from regular textbooks, were short publications on specific topics that schools could use as additional resources.

The module for the secondary stage titled ‘Operation Sindoor – A Mission of Honour and Bravery’ was written as a conversation between teachers and students. It stated that since Independence, Pakistan “has often tried to disturb peace in India – sometimes through war, and at other times, through terrorism”.

It added that in 2019, Article 370 was revoked, which allowed development in Jammu and Kashmir with better infrastructure, upgraded schools, and direct rail connections with the rest of India. The module further noted that “…by 2023, Kashmir saw the highest number of tourists ever. People were living in peace. But unfortunately, Pakistan was not ready to accept this progress.”

According to the module, “After years of calm”, in April 2025, terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam, killing 26 innocent people. It stated that the terrorists’ “goal” was to spread fear and create religious tension, and Operation Sindoor was a “strong and clear response to that cowardly attack.”

Before explaining Operation Sindoor, the module included a section on the 2019 Pulwama attack and India’s Balakot air strike. It pointed out that India had targeted only terrorist camps and not civilian areas.

On the Pahalgam attack, the module stated, “TRF (The Resistance Front) first claimed responsibility, then denied it four days later. But India’s National Investigation Agency confirmed the group was behind it— with solid evidence and eyewitness accounts. Indian agencies found that the attack was a well-planned conspiracy led by Pakistan’s ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). It was directly ordered by Pakistan’s military and political leadership.”

The module also mentioned that apart from the military action, India carried out “a coordinated and extensive exercise” to strengthen diplomatic efforts through its missions abroad.

It described Operation Sindoor as a strategic step that “told the world – India will protect its people and values” and “restored faith in our armed forces and reassured citizens that justice would not be delayed”. It detailed how the armed forces planned the strikes, identifying terrorist infrastructure, choosing the right weapons for precision attacks, setting the timing of the operation, and moving naval assets forward. The armed forces were tasked to destroy multiple terrorist targets, avoid civilian casualties, and collect evidence after the strike. According to the module, nine targets linked to terror networks threatening India were destroyed.

The module said that Pakistan then violated ceasefire agreements all along the Line of Control, and “escalated the conflict by attacking our bases, logistic nodes, forward posts all along the Line of Control and Army formation headquarters – some using Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS”.

India’s defence systems were also highlighted in the module. It stated, “Our integrated air defence grid and Counter-UAS grid were already in place. These systems—like the S-400, MRSAM, AKASH, and traditional air defence guns—proved highly effective. Along with legacy platforms like Pechora, L-70, ZU-23 and OSA-AK, we created a layered defence."

On May 8, India struck selected Pakistani air defence systems and sensor networks with precision air launched weapons, and “it was a calibrated response—sending a strong message while avoiding civilian population.”

The module added that Pakistan continued its ceasefire violations on May 9 and expanded attacks to military sites, schools, religious places, and civilian infrastructure, which killed 14 Indian civilians. It said that the Indian Army “neutralised 35-40 Pakistani Army personnel.”

On May 10, Pakistan again attacked Indian Air Force bases, army ammunition depots and cantonments, but “not one critical Indian asset was damaged.” The module added, “The Indian Air Force took out command and control centres, radars, surface-to-air guided weapons, runways and hangars with aircraft. The response shook the Pakistani establishment as our airstrike breached their air defence, creating visible gaps that the world saw.”

The module also underlined the role of the Indian Navy in establishing maritime dominance. It stated that the Navy deployed its Carrier Battle Group “with Integral MiG-29K fighter jets, early warning helicopters, and surveillance systems in the North Arabian Sea, to protect Indian maritime interests and prevent any misadventure by Pakistan in the maritime domain.”

Finally, the module pointed to the use of Indian-made systems, presenting Operation Sindoor as a symbol of technological independence. It added, “…it also shows we don’t depend on foreign tech anymore. We are building our own systems, and they’re actually working when it counts.”