General Upendra Dwivedi, the Army Chief, discussed Operation Sindoor and its context. He recounted a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on April 23rd, a day after the Pahalgam attack on April 22nd. According to General Dwivedi, the Defence Minister’s initial reaction was a firm declaration that the situation had gone far enough. The Army Chief stated that the Defence Minister provided the army leadership with complete discretion to determine the appropriate actions.
Following this directive, Operation Sindoor was meticulously planned and executed, achieving its objectives with assurance. The operation involved the destruction of nine terrorist organizations based in Pakistan. The Army Chief emphasized that the name of the operation served as a unifying factor for the entire country.
Defence Minister Empowers the Armed Forces
The Army Chief described how the events of April 22nd in Pahalgam had profoundly impacted the nation. He noted that the meeting on April 23rd was a pivotal moment, where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for decisive action. The three service chiefs were in complete agreement on the imperative to respond. The Army Chief highlighted that the Defence Minister had granted them full autonomy, empowering them to decide on the best course of action. The Army Chief noted this level of decisiveness and political direction was something he hadn’t encountered before. He stated this boosted the morale of the forces, empowering the commanders to operate effectively on the ground.
The Meeting with the Prime Minister
The Army Chief further explained that on April 25th, they visited the Northern Command and planned the operation. They successfully targeted and destroyed terrorist hideouts in Pakistan, along with eliminating several terrorists. The Army Chief mentioned that they first met with the Prime Minister on April 29th. He underscored the significance of the operation’s name, Operation Sindoor, which resonated throughout the nation. The name itself spurred a sense of national unity, leading to inquiries about why the operation had been stopped.
Air Force Chief Praises Political Will
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, the Air Force Chief, had previously attributed the success of Operation Sindoor to the political resolve of the central government. At an event at the HAL Management Academy in Bengaluru, he highlighted that the clear political will was the main reason for the successful operation. He said that they received unambiguous instructions and were not subject to any external restrictions. They had complete freedom to determine the operational parameters. The Air Chief Marshal stated that the planning and execution of this operation was entirely within their control.
The article also highlighted the tragic events of April 22nd in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, when terrorists from Pakistan launched an attack that resulted in 26 fatalities. The terrorists had targeted tourists and specifically asked about their religion. In response to the attacks, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, destroying nine terrorist hideouts within Pakistan and issuing a stern warning about the consequences of any future attacks.