From Operation Parakram to ‘Cold Strike’: Army Rethinks War Doctrine

"Operation Parakram" was launched in response to the terrorist attack on Parliament in December 2001. It saw the deployment of the largest army since 1971. Although there has been a huge deployment of resources, there has been no immediate political result, and the army has been forced to reassess its strategy.

This frustration led to the ‘Cold Start Doctrine’ that sought to launch a quick and limited military intervention within 48 to 72 hours against the terrorism backed by Pakistan. However, the recent experiences of the Indian army in fighting terrorists in Operation Sindoor have elevated the ‘Cold Start Doctrine’ to a new level.

Now, the Indian army is preparing to transform its "Cold Strike" into a "Cold Strike" by filling the long-standing gaps, including the absence of inter-service integration and political sanction. Immediately following Operation Sindoor, senior Army officials expressed their intention to further strengthen the "Cold Start Doctrine" and rename it "Cold Strike" at various forums.

The Cold Start Doctrine is a swift and offensive warfare strategy of the Indian Army, developed in response to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. Under this strategy, Indian Army "Integrated Battle Groups" are capable of entering enemy territory within 48–72 hours and launching a limited, decisive, and intense attack without provoking a full-scale nuclear war.

This doctrine was developed from the unfinished objective of Operation Parakram, which was to provide a rapid, limited offensive response to Pakistan-sponsored attacks.

Cold Start was developed almost entirely as a military exercise. The Indian Air Force and Navy were not seriously involved in its design, and the concept was probably not even presented to the CCS for scrutiny and approval.