New Delhi: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday asserted that Operation Sindoor, launched last year against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, is still in effect and issued a clear warning to Islamabad that any future provocation will be met with a decisive response.
Addressing reporters during his first press conference of 2026, General Dwivedi described Operation Sindoor as a defining example of seamless coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force. He said the operation was executed under a clear political mandate with complete operational freedom, allowing the armed forces to act swiftly and effectively.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The attack triggered a calibrated military response targeting multiple terror camps across the border. According to the Army Chief, the strikes dismantled key terror infrastructure and resulted in the elimination of more than 100 terrorists. He said India’s actions challenged long standing assumptions by striking deep while maintaining strategic control.
General Dwivedi said the operation unfolded with precision, beginning with a brief but intense initiation phase and followed by coordinated actions over several days. He noted that seven of the nine identified targets were successfully destroyed and added that the armed forces were fully prepared for a ground offensive if required.
Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan attempted missile and drone attacks, which were intercepted. India subsequently carried out retaliatory strikes on Pakistani airfields before a ceasefire was announced on May 10. Since then, the Army Chief said the situation along the western front and in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive but firmly under control.
Highlighting counter terrorism gains, General Dwivedi said that 31 terrorists were eliminated in 2025, with a majority being of Pakistani origin. He added that the three attackers involved in the Pahalgam incident were neutralised in a follow up operation. According to him, active local terrorist numbers have dropped to single digits and recruitment has nearly ceased.
He also pointed to positive developments in Jammu and Kashmir, citing increased development activity, revival of tourism and the peaceful conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, which attracted over four lakh pilgrims. He said these trends reflect a gradual shift from terrorism towards stability and normalcy in the region.
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