1. The terrifying act of barbarism
On 22 April 2025, terrorists in Pahalgam murdered 26 civilians, mostly tourists, asking people their religion before they opened fire. It was an act of barbarism meant to turn Indians against each other. On 7 May, India answered with Operation Sindoor, striking nine terror camps linked to the attack. When the government declared the operation complete, the country felt a fierce, quiet pride I had not felt in years.
2. The idea
On the day the government declared the operation complete, I was sitting in my office and patriotism across the country was at its peak. As a toy maker, I wondered: when other nations fought wars, did anyone make a toy or a game to tell their children the heroic stories? I started researching, and to my surprise the Vietnam War and G.I. Joe kept coming up. That told me we needed to narrate this victory to the kids of India.
3. The board game
I immediately called my friend Arijit Lahiri, a board game developer who has collaborated with Toykraftt on Kurukshetra, the Hindustan Times I Love Mumbai and I Love Delhi, Jewels of Tara and more. I pitched him the idea in the morning, and by evening the first version, with rough graphics, was ready. I took prints and met him the next day.
From the start we agreed it would not be India versus Pakistan; that would never fly. Instead, players come together as one team with a single objective, to decimate the terrorists. The gameplay reflects the real operation, from protecting civilian sites to choosing the right artillery for each target. The game was brilliant, but there was a catch: using the name "Operation Sindoor" without permission from the Ministry of Defence could backfire badly.
4. The permission
Arijit and I scrambled to find out who could give us permission, and we both grew restless. Then Arijit's wife, Komalika, reached out to her uncle, Brigadier Bhattacharya. On a conference call, he told me to get on a flight to Delhi immediately.
He was coordinating between CII and the military for a two-day conclave in New Delhi, and the who's who of the industry would be there on day one. I had already sent the game presentation to various departments and ministries, hoping someone would reply. I heard Shri Rajnath Singh, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and many others, but did not get to meet any of them.
I flew back with two decisions: we would make this game no matter what, and we would make a comic book to tell the story. There was still no permission in sight.
5. The comic book
Back in Mumbai, I called Ms. Preeti Vyas, an old friend and former CEO of Amar Chitra Katha, who gave me valuable insights on the comic. The catch: who could do it in a week? Arijit pulled off the impossible, creating a 24-page, DC-style comic on the operation with Midjourney in just two days, in a language and style kids would love. Still no permission in sight.
6. The breakthrough
All the artwork was ready to roll and there was still no permission. I was in the office, about to call it a day, when my WhatsApp pinged: a message from a Lt. Col. at the Ministry of Defence. We had the permission. It came on WhatsApp first, and the official letter followed.
7. The launch
Once permission was in place, we shifted gears and took the project from concept to gameplay to permission to launch in 40 days, something we had never done before. We launched quietly at ToyBiz 2025.
The result is Decimate: Operation Sindoor Special Edition, a mission-based strategy and memory game for 2 to 6 players, ages 10 and up, with a richly illustrated board, tokens, mission cards and a bonus comic book that tells the story.
8. The pride
We have not calculated the P&L on this product. What tilted the scale was the love we received from our team and channel partners.
Our children should grow up knowing the courage behind Operation Sindoor, and we are proud that Toykraftt could play a small part in telling that story. Find Decimate: Operation Sindoor Special Edition on Amazon India and on our website.
Frequently asked questions
What is Decimate: Operation Sindoor Special Edition?
It is a mission-based strategy and memory board game from Toykraftt, inspired by Operation Sindoor. Players take on missions that call for memory recall, real-time strategy and quick thinking, and a bonus comic book tells the story behind the operation.
Who is the game for, and how many can play?
The game is for ages 10 and up and supports 2 to 6 players.
What is in the box?
A richly illustrated game board, tokens, mission cards and a bonus comic book.
Is this a game of India versus Pakistan?
No. We decided from the start that it would not be. Players come together as one team with a single objective, to decimate the terrorists.
Did Toykraftt get permission to use the name Operation Sindoor?
Yes. We received permission from the Ministry of Defence, first as a message and then as an official letter.
How long did it take to make the game?
We took the project from concept to launch in 40 days and launched it quietly at ToyBiz 2025.
Where can I buy it?
You can find Decimate: Operation Sindoor Special Edition on Amazon India and on the Toykraftt website.
TOYS that TEACH.
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