Operation Sindoor stern message to terror backers: Army Chief

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday said Operation Sindoor was a clear message “that those who support terrorism will not be spared”.

“On the night of May 6 and 7, the Army targeted nine high-value terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir without harming any innocent citizens. This was not just an answer but a clear message that those who support terrorism will not be spared,” General Dwivedi said during his address on Kargil Vijay Diwas. An event was organised to mark the occasion at the Kargil War Memorial in Ladakh.

He said after the Army’s unprecedented victory in 1999, it became clear that the military won’t allow the country’s unity and integrity to be harmed.

General Dwivedi said, “The same tradition continued during Operation Sindoor, when the Army, with the same courage and determination, targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and achieved a decisive victory by effectively repelling the offensive operations by Pakistan.”

Stating that while India gave peace a chance, Pakistan acted with cowardice, the Army Chief said, “Operation Sindoor was our resolve, our message and our answer.” He emphasised that after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, it was decided that the response “would be decisive”.

“Our air defence stood like an unbreakable wall. No drone or missile could breach it. This was possible due to the whole-of-nation approach, where the Army, Air Force, Navy, the government and private departments and even NGOs stood together,” he said.

The Army Chief warned that any forces planning to harm India’s sovereignty, integrity or people would face a “decisive answer. This is the new normal of India,” he said, adding that while “India seeks peace, it will respond decisively to provocation”.

General Dwivedi stressed that today’s Army was not only successfully countering current challenges but also evolving into a modern, transformative and future-oriented force.

Announcing the sanctioning of an all-arms brigade, “Rudra”, he said, “This brigade will integrate combat components such as infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial systems, along with logistic and combat support.”

Additionally, he revealed that agile and lethal special forces, the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, had been raised and were always ready to surprise the enemy at the borders.

General Dwivedi also highlighted the creation of drone platoons in every infantry battalion and the formation of a ‘Shaktibaan’ regiment in the artillery, equipped with drone and counter-drone systems as well as loitering ammunition.

“A diverse composite battery has also been established in every regiment, equipped with these advanced systems,” he said. The Army Chief noted that combat capabilities would multiply in the coming days, with the Army’s air defence being upgraded with indigenous missile systems. He also spoke about the Army’s role in nation-building in border areas through various initiatives.