In a bold move early on Wednesday, India launched a precise and high-impact airstrike targeting terrorist camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation, named Operation Sindoor, destroyed at least nine terror launchpads, delivering a stern and strategic response to the recent Pahalgam attack on tourists. This airstrike was more than just a military manoeuvre. The operation’s name, Sindoor – a sacred mark worn by married women in India – was chosen to honour the lives shattered in the Pahalgam massacre, where several women lost their husbands. According to official sources, the name was personally selected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding a deeply emotional layer to the operation. While the success of Operation Sindoor has gripped headlines and dominated primetime debates, it has also sparked interest in the history and politics behind military operation code names – how they’re chosen, what they represent, and why they matter. The practice of giving military operations distinctive code names dates back to World War I. Early examples saw Germany assigning titles steeped in myth and religion, such as Archangel, Mars, and Achilles. These names were chosen not merely for secrecy, but for their psychological weight. By World War II, the stakes and style of naming evolved. Nazi Germany christened its invasion of the Soviet Union as Operation Barbarossa, borrowing from Frederick I, a medieval Roman emperor. Meanwhile, in Allied camps, code names became a matter of both military necessity and public perception. Winston Churchill famously instructed British commanders to avoid arrogant or callous code names – especially for missions involving high casualty risks. Names mocking the enemy or glorifying living generals were discouraged. Instead, he advocated for titles that invoked celestial themes or honoured fallen heroes. Post-World War II, the United States institutionalised the use of code names, expanding them into all corners of defence and intelligence. During the Korean and Vietnam Wars, operations like Masher, Ripper, and Killer drew public backlash for their brutality-sounding tone, prompting reforms. In 1972, the Pentagon issued guidelines banning names that could be interpreted as offensive or contradictory to American ideals. This led to the rise of “soft power” operation titles such as Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), Operation Uphold Democracy (Haiti), and Operation Shining Hope (Kosovo), reflecting humanitarian intent alongside military purpose. By 1975, the US adopted a computerised naming system called NICKA (Nicknames and Exercise Terms), where each command was given specific letter codes to generate operation names. For instance, the Libyan air campaign was dubbed Operation Odyssey Dawn, combining the prescribed “OD” prefix with a poetic allusion to Homer’s epic. While this mechanised approach created some oddities – Golden Pheasant, for example – it also enabled consistency and classified control over operational nomenclature. 10 Legendary Code Names That Shaped Military History Operation Overlord (1944) – The massive Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France, culminating in the D-Day landings in Normandy. Operation Neptune Spear (2011) – The US Navy SEAL mission that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Operation Wrath of God (1972) – Mossad’s covert retaliation for the Munich Olympics massacre, targeting Palestinian terrorists worldwide. Operation Desert Storm (1991) – The US-led offensive to liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s occupation during the Gulf War. Operation Rolling Thunder (1965–68) – A sustained US bombing campaign over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Operation Red Dawn (2003) – The mission that led to the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein near Tikrit. Operation Magic Carpet (1949–50) – A dramatic airlift of over 49,000 Yemeni Jews to Israel, likened to Aladdin’s mythical ride. Operation Dynamo (1940) – The miraculous evacuation of over 3 lakh Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, under heavy German fire. Operation Urgent Fury (1983) – The US invasion of Grenada aimed at restoring democratic governance. Operation Vijay (1961, 1999) – India’s twin victories: first to end Portuguese colonial rule in Goa, Daman, and Diu; and later, to reclaim strategic peaks from Pakistani infiltrators during the Kargil War. Operation Sindoor marks not only a tactical victory but also a shift in India’s defence posture – a willingness to respond swiftly and symbolically. While details remain classified, experts believe its name will enter the lexicon of modern Indian military strategy.