Dhankhar Compares Operation Sindoor to Osama bin Laden’s Killing by US Forces

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday drew a striking parallel between India’s recent Operation Sindoor and the United States’ 2011 mission that resulted in the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Speaking at an event in the capital, Dhankhar referred to India’s attack on nine terror camps across the border as the “deepest-ever cross-border strike” by the country’s armed forces. Without naming Osama bin Laden directly, he invoked the memory of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and noted that the mastermind behind them was “dealt with” in a comparable fashion by US forces on May 2, 2011.

“In Operation Sindoor, we acted with precision and resolve to strike at terror,” Dhankhar said. “Much like how the global terrorist responsible for 9/11 was handled by the United States on foreign soil, India has shown its will and capability to respond to those who harbor and support terrorism.”

Operation Sindoor, though details remain classified, is believed to have targeted multiple terrorist launchpads across the border, in what sources describe as a well-coordinated retaliation to recent terror provocations.

The Vice President’s comments come amid rising tensions in the region, and they underscore a growing assertiveness in India’s counter-terror policy. His comparison to the high-profile U.S. Navy SEAL raid that eliminated bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, signals India’s readiness to undertake decisive action beyond its borders when national security is threatened.

Officials have not released further operational details of Operation Sindoor, but the Vice President’s remarks are being viewed as a strong message to terror outfits and their sponsors.

Political analysts say Dhankhar’s statements reflect a broader shift in India’s strategic doctrine and reaffirm New Delhi’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty through proactive defense measures.