8 Lesser-Known Secret Wars of India That Shaped History – Hidden Battles Revealed

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Operation Smiling Buddha (1974)

In May 1974, India conducted its first successful nuclear test under the code name "Smiling Buddha" at Pokhran. This covert mission, carried out by the Indian Army and DRDO, shocked the world and placed India on the nuclear map. The test marked India’s rise as a nuclear power, but it was a well-guarded secret until its official announcement, changing the dynamics of global politics.

Operation Cactus (1988)

One of the most covert missions in Indian military history, Operation Cactus was launched to thwart a coup in the Maldives. When a group of mercenaries attempted to overthrow the Maldivian government, India swiftly intervened, sending the Indian Air Force to airlift the Maldives’ president and restore order. This mission, carried out in secrecy, displayed India’s growing influence in the region and its commitment to regional security.

Operation Blue Star (1984)

While it remains controversial, Operation Blue Star was a crucial and secret military operation aimed at removing militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation, ordered by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was carried out by the Indian Army to end the armed insurgency led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. While the mission's consequences still echo in India’s history, the secrecy and precision with which it was executed make it one of the most sensitive operations in Indian military history.

Operation Searchlight (1971)

During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, India conducted Operation Searchlight, a covert mission aimed at infiltrating and dismantling the Pakistani military’s control over East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Indian intelligence agents provided crucial information to Bangladeshi freedom fighters, helping to secure key military victories and leading to the eventual creation of Bangladesh. The mission remains one of India’s most successful covert intelligence operations.

Operation Meghdoot (1984)

Launched in 1984, Operation Meghdoot is India’s covert military operation aimed at securing the Siachen Glacier, one of the highest battlefields in the world. With limited resources and extreme weather conditions, India swiftly captured the glacier before Pakistan could lay claim to it. This strategic operation not only secured India’s territorial integrity but also established India’s dominance in the region, making it one of the most important military actions of the 20th century.

Operation Sukoon (2006)

In 2006, Operation Sukoon was carried out to evacuate Indian nationals from Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. As the war escalated, India’s military swiftly and secretly evacuated thousands of Indians from the war zone. With limited resources and under intense pressure, the Indian Navy executed this highly coordinated mission, showcasing India’s capability to protect its citizens in dangerous international conflicts.

Operation Black Tornado (2008)

In response to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Operation Black Tornado was launched by India’s National Security Guard (NSG) to neutralize the terrorists who had seized control of several iconic locations in Mumbai. The operation, carried out with extreme precision and secrecy, resulted in the successful neutralization of all terrorists involved. The mission was highly classified during the operation and is now celebrated as one of India’s most heroic counter-terrorism operations.

Operation Leghorn (1967)

Operation Leghorn was a secret operation during the India-China War of 1967. India successfully defended Nathu La in Sikkim, preventing Chinese forces from advancing. This operation was one of the last major skirmishes between India and China before the larger 1962 war, and its success is often overshadowed by other events.