covert operation

military operation designed to protect the identity of the sponsoring person or nation (Military)

A Covert operation is a military or political activity carried out in such a way that the parties responsible for the action are not identifiable. Alternatively, the identity of the parties responsible can be an open secret, but cannot be proved.Covert operations are typically performed in secrecy because they break specific laws or compromise policy in another country. Covert operations are frequently illegal in the target state and are sometimes in violation of the laws of the enacting country.Covert operations are employed in situations where openly operating against a target would be politically or diplomatically risky, or be counterproductive to the mission's purpose. In the case of enemies, there may be issues regarding violation of neutrality, concerns over military strength, the presence of treaties, laws, moral principles, or aversion to negative media attention. Operations may be directed at or conducted with allies and friends to secure their support or to influence or assist their policy against an enemy. Covert operations may assist espionage efforts, or may diverge from such efforts by attempting to influence events in another country directly.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. an intelligence operation so planned as to permit plausible denial by the sponsor
(hypernym) operation, military operation
(hyponym) black operation