Daijiworld Media Network - Jaipur
Jaipur, May 7: Marking the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, senior leaders from India’s armed forces gathered at the South Western Command in Jaipur, declaring that the mission represents not closure but the beginning of a sustained and strengthened national security posture against terrorism.
The joint press conference brought together top officials from the Army, Air Force, and Navy, who reiterated that India will continue to take decisive and coordinated action to prevent terror attacks similar to the Pahalgam incident. The briefing underscored a unified defence approach involving all three services.
Among those present were Lt Gen Zubin A. Minwalla, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal Avdhesh Kumar Bharti, and Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also expected to participate in the anniversary programme later in the day.
Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said the operation reflected India’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and highlighted the country’s increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing, stating that nearly 65 per cent of current military equipment is produced domestically.
He claimed that during Operation Sindoor, over 100 terrorists were eliminated across nine targeted terror camps, while Pakistan reportedly suffered more than 100 military casualties. He also criticised Pakistan’s focus on narrative-building over defence preparedness, suggesting it weakened its operational effectiveness.
Describing the broader strategic intent, Ghai said the operation sent a clear message that no terror infrastructure would be safe. He added that Indian forces carried out strikes on seven targets by the Army and two by the Air Force during the operation on May 7, 2025.
He further stated that after sustaining heavy losses, the opposing side requested a ceasefire, which India accepted after achieving its objectives. However, he emphasized that the pause in operations should not be mistaken for restraint born of weakness.
Air Marshal Avdhesh Kumar Bharti described the Pahalgam terror attack as a national tragedy and said the armed forces were given full operational freedom during the mission. He stressed that India’s response was precise and focused solely on terror infrastructure, avoiding civilian harm.
He explained that escalation occurred when Pakistan supported terrorist elements, turning the situation into an act of self-defence for India. According to him, the Indian response was “firm and decisive,” and operations were halted only after the ceasefire request was received.
Bharti also stated that Operation Sindoor targeted terror networks across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while claiming significant damage to multiple airfields and hostile assets. He reiterated that India’s actions were guided by the principle that terrorism would come at a cost.
Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod highlighted what he described as the “JAI” framework — Jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and Indigenisation — as central to the operation’s success. He said coordination between the three services and government agencies enabled rapid and effective military responses.
He further asserted that the armed forces remain fully prepared and forward-deployed, warning that any future challenge would be met with stronger and more sustained action. He emphasized India’s capability to strike with precision across domains whenever required.
Lt Gen Zubin A. Minwalla credited defence reforms, including the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) post, for improving coordination and operational effectiveness. He said enhanced communication systems and integrated command structures played a crucial role in mission success.
He also noted ongoing efforts to shift toward a more data-driven military architecture and highlighted cooperation with space agencies to strengthen real-time defence capabilities.
Collectively, the military leadership described Operation Sindoor as a turning point in India’s counter-terror strategy, reinforcing the message that future provocations would be met with swift and decisive responses.