Indian Army Trains LoC Snipers After Stellar Role in Operation Sindoor
On August 16, 2025, the Indian Army intensified its sniper training program along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, building on the remarkable success of its sniper units during Operation Sindoor. This high-impact, retaliatory operation, executed on May 7, 2025, targeted 21 terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), delivering a decisive blow to terror infrastructure. The snipers’ precision and stealth were pivotal to the operation’s success, prompting the Army to enhance their training to strengthen border security and counter evolving threats. Visuals from drills in Tangdhar, J&K, shared by ANI and The Economic Times, showcase the rigorous preparation of these elite marksmen. Here’s an in-depth look at the training initiative, its significance, and the snipers’ transformative role in modern warfare.
Operation Sindoor: A Showcase of Sniper Prowess
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people. Executed with surgical precision by the Indian Army’s 15 Corps, under Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava, the operation destroyed nine terror launchpads and 21 camps in just 25 minutes, targeting key sites linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The strikes, which reached 34–41 km into Pakistani territory, resulted in 64 Pakistani fatalities, including two army officers, with no Indian casualties reported.
Snipers played a critical role in this operation, acting as force multipliers. Their ability to neutralize high-value targets with pinpoint accuracy, combined with advanced reconnaissance and surveillance, provided a tactical edge. Posts on X highlight the operation’s success, with one noting the elimination of key figures like the IC-814 hijackers and Pulwama attack plotters among the 100 terrorists killed. The snipers’ stealth and precision ensured minimal collateral damage, aligning with India’s commitment to ethical warfare, as emphasized by Lt. Gen. Srivastava, who stated that no women or children were targeted.
Intensified Sniper Training: Precision and Stealth
Following their stellar performance, the Indian Army launched an advanced training program for LoC snipers, as reported by Times of India and The Economic Times. Conducted in strategic locations like Tangdhar, the training focuses on enhancing four core skills: precision shooting, stealth tactics, camouflage, and rapid target acquisition. These drills, captured in visuals by ANI, show snipers honing their abilities in high-pressure environments, preparing for the volatile LoC’s challenging terrain.
- Precision Shooting: Snipers are trained to engage targets at ranges exceeding 1,500 meters using advanced rifles like the Sako TRG-42, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. The Army is phasing out older Dragunov rifles, replacing them with modern systems equipped with thermal imaging scopes and ballistic calculators that account for variables like wind speed and altitude, boosting accuracy by up to 30%.
- Stealth and Camouflage: Training emphasizes blending into diverse environments, from the rugged hills of Kashmir to high-altitude terrains. Specialized high-altitude sniper courses, like those conducted by the Brahmastra Corps, focus on survival and concealment in extreme conditions.
- Rapid Target Acquisition: Integration with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and AI-driven targeting systems enables snipers to identify and engage targets in real time, enhancing situational awareness. This was evident in Operation Sindoor, where snipers leveraged UAV feeds to monitor infiltration routes.
- Tactical Discipline: The program instills endurance and adaptability, preparing snipers for prolonged missions in hostile environments. Joint exercises like Yudh Abhyas with the U.S. have refined tactics for counterinsurgency and urban warfare, critical for LoC operations.
The training is part of a broader modernization effort, with the Army deploying approximately 4,720 sniper rifles across its 360 Infantry Battalions, 46 Assam Rifles Battalions, and 65 Rashtriya Rifles Battalions. This structured deployment underscores the strategic importance of snipers as a deterrent along the LoC.
Why Snipers Matter: Force Multipliers on the LoC
Snipers are no longer just lone marksmen; they are integral to India’s military strategy, serving as intelligence gatherers, psychological warfare assets, and precision strikers. Along the LoC, they monitor infiltration routes, neutralize threats, and disrupt terrorist networks before they can act. Their role in Operation Sindoor exemplified this, with snipers providing real-time surveillance and eliminating key targets, contributing to the operation’s zero Indian casualty record.
The Army’s focus on snipers reflects the evolving nature of warfare, where asymmetric and hybrid threats dominate. Posts on X indicate ongoing concerns, with reports of Pakistan establishing 15 new, smaller terror camps in PoK to evade missile strikes, highlighting the need for vigilant sniper operations to counter infiltration. The integration of drones, as seen in the detection of 307 Pakistani quadcopters during Operation Sindoor, further amplifies snipers’ effectiveness by providing live battlefield intelligence.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the successes, challenges remain. A post on X criticized the Indian Army’s training methods, alleging that some senior officers are outdated in their approach, such as frowning upon closing one eye for accurate firing—a practice globally accepted for decades. While this critique may reflect isolated sentiments, it underscores the need for continuous modernization and exposure to global best practices. The Army’s participation in international exercises and adoption of AI and drone technology suggest efforts to address such gaps.
Additionally, the loss of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar in Poonch during post-Operation Sindoor shelling highlights the risks snipers and other troops face along the LoC. Sustained ceasefire violations by Pakistan, as noted in India Today, necessitate robust training to ensure snipers remain agile and protected in volatile conditions.
The Road Ahead: A Strategic Edge
The Indian Army’s intensified sniper training program is a testament to its commitment to border security and counterterrorism. By equipping snipers with cutting-edge technology—such as AI-powered targeting, thermal optics, and smart ammunition—the Army is preparing for future conflicts where precision and adaptability are paramount. The planned integration of guided bullets and advanced UAVs promises to extend engagement ranges and redefine sniper warfare.
Operation Sindoor sent a clear message, as Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated: “Any provocation or support to terrorism will be met with decisive force.” Snipers, with their enhanced capabilities, will continue to be at the forefront of this strategy, ensuring India’s defenses remain unbreachable. The visuals from Tangdhar, showing snipers in action, are a powerful reminder of their role as the “unseen game-changers” of modern warfare.
References:
- Times of India. (2025, August 16). LOC Snipers Undergo Precision And Stealth Training After Vital Contribution In Operation Sindoor.
- India Today. (2025, May 20). How Indian Army’s 15 Corps executed Operation Sindoor with precision and surprise.
- Asianet Newsable. (2025, February 17). The DEADLIEST shot! How Indian Army snipers are changing the face of combat.
- The Economic Times. (2025, August 16). Indian Army trains LoC Snipers after stellar role in Op-Sindoor, watch!
- Firstpost. (2025, May 7). Operation Sindoor: How
