A beginning of a tougher doctrine, says top military commanders after India’s cross-border anti-terror operation conducted – Operation Sindoor.
In response to April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack – Operation Sindoor, marked its one year on Thursday. A tri-service military operation was launched in the killing of 26 innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, targeting terror bases in Pakistan.
As the operation marks its first anniversary, the military leadership that spearheaded the operation delivered a clear, stern, and uncompromising message to Pakistan, stating India’s fight against terrorism is far from over.
A year ago, during #OperationSindoor, our armed forces showcased their valour and gave a firm response to those who attacked our people. Every Indian is proud of our armed forces. As a mark of respect to our forces and their success during #OperationSindoor, let us all change our… pic.twitter.com/w4A3j1bGTw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 7, 2026
Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, who previously served as the DGMO, speaking in a press conference in Rajasthan, stated that the main goal of the mission was not to cause “hungama” but a strategic change in India’s counter-terror policy.
‘Operation Sindoor Was Just the Beginning’
Quoting the famous line, “Sirf hungama khada karna mera maqsad nahi, meri koshish hai ki yeh soorat badalni chahiye,” Lt Gen Ghai said Operation Sindoor represented a decisive change in India’s security doctrine.
“Operation Sindoor was not the end. It was just the beginning. India’s fight against terror will continue,” he asserted.
#OperationSindoor was a coordinated tri-services effort integrating the capabilities of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and maritime forces through shared situational awareness, a common operational and intelligence picture, and real time decision making.@SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/Pz0Ge1kT1a
— PIB in Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh (@PIBSrinagar) May 7, 2026
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, targeting terror bases, infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad inside Pakistan and PoK.
According to Ghai, the strikes demonstrated India’s willingness to move beyond conventional restraint and directly hit terror hubs across the Line of Control and the international border.
Calling it a “statement of resolve, responsibility and strategic restraint,” Ghai said the Centre had given the armed forces two clear mandates — defined political objectives and complete operational flexibility.
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Precision Strikes and ‘No Sanctuary Is Safe’ Message
Lt Gen Ghai revealed that nine precision standoff strikes were carried out during the operation, seven by the Indian Army and two by the Indian Air Force. He said the attacks were timed with “total surprise” and inflicted maximum damage deep inside enemy territory.
“The message was clear — no sanctuary is safe,” he said.
He added that intelligence agencies, cyber warfare units, and multiple arms of the government worked in close coordination to ensure operational success with minimal collateral damage.
About the long-standing war globally, Ghai noted that India achieved its military objectives easily and chose to stop only after Pakistan appealed for negotiations.
VIDEO | Jaipur: “Operation Sindoor was not an end; it was just a beginning”, says Deputy Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who was DGMO during Operation Sindoor.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 7, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/1WiHDUJX9M
‘When India Acts, There Are No Half Measures’
Air Marshal AK Bharti said Operation Sindoor was India’s answer to those who mistook the country’s desire for peace as weakness.
“When we act, there are no half measures. It is decisive, it is lethal,” he said.
Bharti recalled that he, Lt Gen Ghai, and Vice Admiral AN Pramod met almost daily during the planning phase to ensure the strikes remained precise and avoided civilian casualties.
Vice Admiral AN Pramod, meanwhile, said the Indian Navy forced Pakistan’s naval and air assets into a defensive posture close to their coastline. He also stated that India had effectively “called Pakistan’s nuclear bluff” by striking terror camps deep inside its territory with long-range precision weapons.
The Navy officer also highlighted the role of indigenous military platforms, including INS Vikrant and Kolkata-class destroyers, saying Operation Sindoor proved that “Atmanirbhar Bharat is a force multiplier” in modern warfare.
