Op Sindoor 2.0 will be deadlier: Army commander warns Pak against mischief

Stressing that Pakistan may attempt another Pahalgam type attack, Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar on Tuesday warned that the response—Operation Sindoor 2.0—to such a misadventure will be deadlier.

Addressing an ex-servicemen rally to commemorate 60 years of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, Lt Gen Katiyar said Pakistan lacks the capability to fight a conventional war with India and instead pursues a policy of “bleed India through a thousand cuts.” He asserted the Army is fully prepared to deal with such threats.

Replying to a question whether Operation Sindoor 2.0 will be deadlier than the first one, Lt Gen Katiyar told reporters, “The action we will take this time will be deadlier than the past. It will be more powerful. Yes, you are very right — Operation Sindoor 2.0 has to be deadlier. There is no doubt about it.”

Asked whether Pakistan might attempt Pahalgam-style attacks in the future, he said such mischief will continue “until there is a change in Pakistan’s thinking.” “It does not have the capacity to fight a war with us. They do not want to fight a war. It does mischief as per its policy of ‘bleed India through a thousand cuts.”

He added that India had inflicted heavy damage on Pakistan in Operation Sindoor. “We have destroyed its posts and air bases, but it may again attempt something (Pahalgam-type attack). We have to remain prepared. We are fully prepared. I am confident the action this time will be deadlier than in the past,” he said.

The Army commander complimented the armed forces for their role in Operation Sindoor, saying it gave a befitting reply to Pakistan.

“Pakistan again attempted a nefarious strike through a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, but the Indian Army responded strongly. In Operation Sindoor, we received full support from the public, veterans, state and civil administration, and everyone else,” he said.

The Army commander maintained that the forces are ready to thwart future attacks by the neighbouring nation.

Also present at the rally, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha praised the valour and sacrifice of India’s armed forces, recalling the role of the 26 Infantry Division during Operation Sindoor and the Army’s relief work during recent natural calamities. “Op Sindoor sent a message to the world that we will avenge every drop of an Indian citizen’s blood. No one can dare raise their eyes towards our country,” the L-G said.

Marking the Diamond Jubilee of the 1965 Indo-Pak War, the Indian Army's Tiger Division organised a series of events in Jammu to honour the valour and sacrifice of its soldiers. A mega ex-servicemen rally was held at Satwari Ground, attended by more than 3,000 veterans, ‘Veer Naris’ and ‘Veer Matas’.