Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi said on Tuesday that Operation Sindoor, launched last year against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, is still active. He warned Pakistan that any future provocation would be met with a firm and effective response.
Addressing his first press conference of 2026, General Dwivedi said the Indian Army had mobilised its forces during the operation and was fully ready to begin ground operations if Pakistan had taken any hostile step. He made it clear that India had prepared for every possible scenario during the tense period.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in response to a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, which operates as a front for the Pakistan based terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba. Following the incident, Indian security forces carried out targeted strikes on several terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. More than 100 terrorists were reported to have been eliminated in these strikes.
Pakistan reacted by launching missile and drone attacks on Indian positions. These were intercepted by Indian defence systems. In retaliation, Indian forces struck multiple airfields inside Pakistan. A ceasefire between the two sides was announced on May 10, bringing a pause to active hostilities.
General Dwivedi described Operation Sindoor as a strong example of coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force under a clear political mandate. He said the armed forces were given complete freedom to act or respond as needed during the operation.
He explained that the mission was carefully planned and carried out with precision. The initial phase began on May 7 and lasted for 22 minutes. This was followed by a broader campaign that continued for 88 hours until May 10. During this period, Indian forces struck deep into enemy territory, dismantled terror infrastructure and challenged long-standing assumptions related to nuclear threats.
The Army Chief said that the actions taken in Jammu and Kashmir and along the western front showed how India had widened the conventional military space. He noted that around 100 enemy personnel were neutralised during the operation. He added that troop mobilisation was so strong during those 88 hours that if Pakistan had made any wrong move, India was ready to launch ground operations without delay.
Since the ceasefire, the situation along the western border and in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive. However, General Dwivedi said it is firmly under control. He stated that security forces continue to maintain a high level of alertness.
Providing details about counterterrorism efforts in 2025, he said 31 terrorists were eliminated during the year. About 65 percent of them were of Pakistani origin. This included the three individuals responsible for the Pahalgam attack, who were killed during Operation Mahadev.
He also said the number of active local terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir has now fallen to single digits. According to him, terrorist recruitment has nearly stopped, with only two new recruits reported during 2025.
General Dwivedi highlighted several positive developments in the region. He said economic activity and infrastructure development have gained momentum. Tourism has seen a revival, and the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra was conducted peacefully. More than four lakh pilgrims took part in the pilgrimage, which exceeded the average of the past five years.
He described these trends as signs of a shift from terrorism to tourism in the region. He added that stability and normalcy are slowly returning as security improves and people regain confidence.
The Army Chief also stressed that while the security situation has improved, vigilance remains necessary. He said the armed forces will continue to maintain strong defensive and offensive readiness to ensure that any threat is dealt with swiftly.
General Dwivedi concluded by reiterating that India remains committed to protecting its sovereignty and citizens. He said the military will continue to act decisively against terrorism while supporting peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
