India, May 24 -- Operation Sindoor - India's retaliation against Pakistan for the Pahalgam terror strike - served as a rite of passage for two women commanding officers who were at the centre of the army's muscular air defence (AD) that countered Pakistan's missile and drone attacks on multiple Indian military installations, airbases and cities during the May 7-10 clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, people aware of the matter said on Friday.

The women colonels commanded two of the 25-odd Indian Army AD units that beat off the enemy's unceasing aerial attacks on military and civilian areas, including religious places, the people added, asking not to be named.

The operation marked the maiden live combat exposure for the army's...