Rajnath Singh Hails Operation Sindoor as Decisive Blow Against Terror

New Delhi, India – In a powerful testament to India’s unwavering resolve against terrorism, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently lauded the Indian Army for the resounding success of Operation Sindoor. Addressing both houses of Parliament, Singh underscored the precision and effectiveness of the retaliatory strikes launched in the wake of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, reaffirming India’s zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terror.

The comprehensive military action, dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), delivering a decisive blow to those orchestrating violence against India.

Here are the key highlights of the Defence Minister’s statement and the details surrounding this significant operation:

• Responding to the Pahalgam Horrors:
  • The genesis of Operation Sindoor lies in the barbaric April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. This heinous act prompted a swift and resolute response from the Indian leadership.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately convened high-level meetings with defence chiefs, granting them complete operational freedom to devise a fitting response.
• Precision and Effectiveness of Operation Sindoor:
  • Launched on the intervening night of May 6th and 7th, Operation Sindoor was meticulously planned and executed.
  • The operation specifically targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites across Pakistan and PoK, linked to major terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
  • Rajnath Singh confirmed that an estimated over 100 terrorists, along with their trainers, handlers, and associates, were neutralized in these well-coordinated precision strikes.
  • Significantly, the Defence Minister emphasized that these strikes were conducted with utmost care, ensuring no harm whatsoever was caused to Pakistani civilians. India’s objective was explicitly to dismantle terror nurseries, not to engage in expansionist actions or target innocent lives.
• Killing of Pahalgam Attackers:
  • In a separate, but related development, three terrorists directly involved in the Pahalgam attack were also eliminated in what Home Minister Amit Shah referred to as “Operation Mahadev” in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • These included top Lashkar commander Suleman, along with Afghan and Jibran, whose identities were confirmed through meticulous investigation, including FSL reports and identification by apprehended overground workers. This signifies a major victory in bringing the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack to justice.
• Operation Sindoor: Paused, Not Ended:
  • Rajnath Singh clarified that Operation Sindoor was “paused,” not called off, after achieving its pre-decided political and military objectives.
  • He vehemently refuted claims of external pressure, stating that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) initiated the request for a ceasefire, which India accepted with a stern caveat.
  • The warning is clear: should Pakistan engage in any fresh misadventure, Operation Sindoor will be resumed with even greater intensity and decisiveness.
• India’s Unwavering Stand:
  • The Defence Minister highlighted India’s enhanced capabilities, including high-end air defence systems like S-400 and Akash Missile System, which effectively countered Pakistan’s subsequent attacks, ensuring no damage to India’s assets.
  • Singh reiterated that India’s approach is resolute: “Talks and terror cannot go together.” India will go to any extent to counter terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demonstrating a “new normal” of striking deep inside terrorist sanctuaries.
  • He also stressed that India’s fight against terrorism is not just on the border but also on the ideological front, underscoring the global recognition of India’s zero-tolerance policy.
• Addressing Opposition Concerns:
  • While acknowledging the opposition’s questions regarding the operation, Rajnath Singh urged members to focus on the overall success and national security rather than “comparatively smaller issues.” He asserted that the primary questions should be whether terror bases were destroyed and if the operation was successful, to which the answer is a resounding “yes.”

Operation Sindoor stands as a powerful declaration of India’s determination to protect its citizens and sovereignty. It sends an unequivocal message that any act of terror will be met with a swift, strong, and decisive response, ensuring justice for victims and dismantling the infrastructure that fuels cross-border terrorism.