Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday clarified that Operation Sindoor, India’s military offensive launched on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, did not conclude within three days as many believed. Speaking at a book launch event in New Delhi, he said, “You may be thinking that on May 10, the war finished; no, because it continued for a long time, because so many decisions were to be taken, and beyond that, of course, it will be difficult for me to share here.”
Addressing the challenges along the India-Pakistan border, General Dwivedi remarked that it was too early to assess the impact of Operation Sindoor along the Line of Control (LoC). He pointed out that Pakistan-backed terrorism has not ended and infiltration attempts continue. “Has state-sponsored terrorism ended? I don’t think so, because infiltration attempts are still happening on the LoC. And we all know how many terrorists have been killed and how many of them have escaped,” he said.
The Army Chief underscored the importance of synergy among the armed forces during the operation, likening the Army’s coordinated movements to a “rhythmic wave” where everyone was in sync and fully aware of their orders.
On the subject of theaterisation—the integration of the three services—he stressed its inevitability. “Theaterisation will happen, whether today or tomorrow. The question is only how long it will take,” he said, adding that in modern warfare, where multiple agencies are involved, unity of command is essential for effective execution.
General Dwivedi also welcomed recent GST reforms, highlighting their significance in accelerating military modernisation. He noted that the reduction of GST on drones from 18 percent to 5 percent would facilitate large-scale procurement and encourage greater participation from MSMEs and start-ups in defence manufacturing. “Our defence corridors will receive a major fillip as investments increase,” he said.
In a separate event in Chennai, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also emphasised the critical importance of jointness and integration within the armed forces. Addressing graduating cadets at the Officers Training Academy, he said, “Operation Sindoor has showcased exceptional coordination between the three services, synergy and integration within the armed forces and other agencies.” He urged the new officers to uphold and further the spirit of jointness in their careers, stressing that such cooperation is vital for future operations.
