Amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam attack that killed 26, India on Wednesday retaliated with strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and POK, maintaining it has shown ‘considerable restraint’ in selection of targets.
“Justice is served”, the Indian Army tweeted earlier on Wednesday, May 7, as it announced the codename of the mission.
According to reports, among the precise targets hit were the Markaz Subhan Allah at Bahawalpur, Sarjal at Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad, all linked to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Other targets included the Markaz Taiba at Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith at Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp at Muzaffarabad, all associated with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba.
A report by India Today, Rafale jets armed with SCALP cruise missiles and HAMMER precision-guided munitions were used for the strikes on terror camps in Pakistan.
Precision strike weapon systems from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including loitering munitions, were employed in Operation Sindoor, sources told ANI.
The coordinates for the attacks were provided by intelligence agencies, and the strikes were carried out entirely from Indian soil.
According to Global Firepower Index 2025, which lists world’s most powerful armies, India secured fourth place while Pakistan slipped from ninth to twelfth position.
The Global Firepower Index considers data from over 60 factors, which includes the country’s GDP, population, military strength, and purchasing power among other aspects to determine the fighting potential of a country.
Here is a comparison showcasing the relative conventional fighting strengths of India and Pakistan in 2025.
Defence budget
India is the second most populated country in the world and Pakistan ranks at number five. India’s defence budget for 2025-26 has been set at Rs 6.8 lakh crore ($79 billion), reflecting a 9.5% increase over the previous fiscal’s budget estimates. Meanwhile, Pakistan is expected to increase its defence budget by Rs 159 billion for the fiscal year 2025–26, taking the total allocation to Rs2,281 billion, according to reports.
Military strength
In terms of soldiers, India ranks second globally, with 1,455,550 active personnel. Additionally, India possesses a reserve force of 1,155,000 soldiers, stated the index. Meanwhile, Pakistani army boasts 654,000 soldiers. India has 2,527,000 paramilitary forces while Pakistan has 500,000 paramilitary forces.
India has 4,201 tanks while Pakistan has 2,627. India also boasts advanced systems such as T-90 Bhishma and Arjun tanks, BrahMos missiles, and the Pinaka rocket system.
India has 148, 594 armoured vehicles, three times more than Pakistan.
Pakistan also has more self-propelled artillery systems than – a staggering difference of 662 between the two nations.
Airforce
Pakistan possesses a total of 1,399 aircraft, including 328 fighter jets, stated the Index. Meanwhile, India has 2,229 aircraft with 513 jets. India has 6 aerial tankers while Pakistan has 4. In terms of helicopters, India has 899 while Pakistan has 373.

Navy
India has a long maritime border with economic and security interests in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, Pakistan has a maritime border along the Arabian Sea only. India has a much stronger and larger Navy than Pakistan with a fleet strength of 293 compared to its arch-rival’s 121.
Two aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant and other platforms like destroyers, corvettes, frigates, and submarines, make India a Blue-water navy. It means India as a maritime force can operate globally and can bring its fighter jets and other lethal weapon systems to any part of the world with its carriers. The US Navy is the largest Blue Water Navy in the world.
India has 18 submarines while the neighbouring country has 8. Pakistan also has zero destroyers.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has zero aircraft carriers, and its limited strength makes it a ‘Green-water Navy’ that can operate in its region.
According to News18, intel report said that the forensic analysis and survivor testimony confirmed the use of military-grade weapons and communication devices, indicating logistical support from trained handlers. Source: Moneycontrol