No terrorist hideout in Pakistan is safe, ‘Operation Sindoor’ is not the end but ‘The Beginning’: Indian Army
Jaipur, May 7: On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army stated unequivocally that India’s action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is not merely a military operation, but a sign of a new strategic policy for national security. The Army stated unequivocally that no terrorist hideout in Pakistan is safe now and that Operation Sindoor is not over yet; rather, it is the beginning of India’s decisive fight against terrorism.
In a joint press conference held on Thursday at the South Western Command in Jaipur, senior officers from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy detailed the strategy, achievements, and impact of Operation Sindoor. The Army described the operation as India’s most comprehensive and coordinated military operation against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism in decades.
Several senior military officers, including Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) Lieutenant General Zubin A. Minwalla, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai, Director General Air Operations Air Marshal Avdesh Kumar, and Director General Naval Operations Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, were present at the press conference.
Lieutenant General Rajeev Ghai stated that Operation Sindoor demonstrated that “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) is not just a slogan but a real capability to multiply India’s military power. He pointed out that over 65 percent of the defense equipment currently used by the Indian Army is manufactured indigenously.
Rajiv Ghai stated that during the operation, which began on May 7, 2025, the Indian Army struck seven key terrorist targets and the Indian Air Force struck two. These operations inflicted heavy damage on terrorist camps and confirmed the killing of over 100 terrorists. He claimed that over 100 Pakistani soldiers were also killed in subsequent clashes along the Line of Control. He said that Pakistan had long considered its terrorist infrastructure safe, but Operation Sindoor completely shattered that notion. Despite the constant relocation of terrorist camps and attempts to push them back across the border, the Indian Army’s reach and capabilities remained unaffected.
During the press conference, Rajiv Ghai quoted lines from the famous poet Dushyant Kumar, saying, “My aim is not just to create a ruckus, but my effort is to change this situation.” He stated that India will continue its fight against terrorism and will take all necessary steps to ensure national security. Rajiv Ghai stated that India did not unnecessarily prolong the conflict after achieving its clear strategic objectives. He said that ongoing wars in various parts of the world have demonstrated how destructive protracted conflicts can be. India, through balanced but swift action, impressed both Pakistan’s ability and willingness to take risks.
Air Marshal Avdhesh Kumar stated that India has always believed in the principle of “live and let live,” but when the desire for peace is mistaken for weakness and restraint is mistaken for inaction, decisive action becomes necessary. He stated that the objective of Operation Sindoor was clear and there was no room for any leniency. He explained that the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure operating in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian forces jointly carried out a highly balanced, precise, and effective military operation. The Air Marshal stated that when the first target was struck in the early hours of May 7, 2025, it was a direct message of India’s collective strength and resolve, sent to enemy soil.
The Air Marshal claimed that no Indian military or civilian infrastructure was damaged during the operation. He stated that Indian forces effectively neutralized all attacks. He stated that nine Pakistani terrorist bases were completely destroyed, 11 airfields were destroyed, and 13 aircraft were shot down, including an air warning aircraft that was targeted from a distance of over 300 kilometers. He stated that all evidence of this operation has been presented to the world. The Indian Army’s action was not merely a retaliatory strike, but a powerful example of national self-defense. Vice Admiral
AN Pramod stated that on the night of May 6 and 7, the Indian Navy, in conjunction with the Army and Air Force, also carried out precise strikes on terrorist infrastructure. He said that the Navy’s forward deployment forced Pakistan’s naval and air units into a defensive posture. Most Pakistani military resources were confined to their ports or remained active along the coastline. He said that Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s capability to respond to any provocation with a balanced, strategic, and decisive use of force. It also demonstrated that terrorist infrastructure and the military structures supporting them could be effectively targeted in a very short time.
Lieutenant General Zubin A. Minwalla said that during Operation Sindoor, the air defence system integrated systems like the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and Akashteer to ensure comprehensive monitoring of air activities, while now the AI-based Defence Strategic Communication Division will be established to counter disinformation and fake information in real-time.
