ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has once again delivered aresolute warning to Pakistan, declaring that Operation Sindoor willcontinue unabated until the very thought of terrorism is eliminated fromthe region. Speaking at a recent public event commemorating militaryvalour, the minister emphasized that India’s pursuit of peace remainsincomplete as long as the ideology fueling terrorism persists. Thisstatement comes amid heightened tensions following the 2025 militaryexchanges, underscoring New Delhi’s zero-tolerance policy towardsstate-sponsored terror activities.
The origins of Operation Sindoor trace back to the horrific Pahalgamterrorist attack on April 22, 2025, where 26 innocent civilians, mostlytourists, were brutally killed on religious grounds. This incident, widelyattributed to Pakistan-based militant groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed andLashkar-e-Taiba, prompted India to launch precision missile strikes on May7, 2025, targeting nine major terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan andPakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation, described as non-escalatory andintelligence-driven, avoided civilian and broad military targets tominimize collateral damage while achieving its punitive objectives.
Data from official Indian assessments reveal that the strikes neutralizedkey terror nurseries nurtured over decades, resulting in the elimination ofover 100 terrorists, including trainers and handlers. The tri-servicescoordination—encompassing the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy—demonstratedseamless integration, with the Air Force delivering accurate strikes andlayered air defence systems effectively countering subsequent Pakistaniretaliatory attempts involving drones and missiles. Pakistan’s DirectorGeneral of Military Operations reportedly sought a halt on May 10, leadingto a pause in active hostilities rather than a permanent end.
Rajnath Singh has repeatedly clarified that Operation Sindoor was merelyhalted, not concluded, after fulfilling its immediate politico-militarygoals of punishing proxy warfare and providing justice to victims’families. In parliamentary addresses and public statements throughout 2025,he described Pakistan-sponsored terrorism as a deliberate strategy rootedin fundamental rage, contrasting sharply with global civilized norms. Heasserted that India has shifted from reactive dossiers to decisive action,building on precedents like the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakotairstrike.
The minister’s latest remarks on January 15, 2026, during an Army Dayevent, reinforced this stance by linking ongoing efforts to ideologicaleradication. He highlighted the national character displayed during theoperation, where strategic planning aligned with humanitarian values, andsoldiers exhibited extraordinary courage and restraint. Singh stressed thatglobal assumptions are shifting, necessitating a modern, integratedmilitary capable of addressing silent and overt threats alike.
Experts note that Operation Sindoor has established a new deterrencethreshold in South Asia, where failure to curb terrorist sanctuaries onPakistani soil invites calibrated military responses. This approachchallenges Pakistan’s long-standing policy of plausible deniability,forcing accountability for harbouring groups responsible for attacks onIndian civilians. The operation also showcased India’s advancingself-reliance in defence technologies, including precision munitions andintegrated surveillance systems.
Despite the pause in kinetic operations, cross-border tensions persist,with occasional violations along the Line of Control. Indian leadershipcontinues to insist that dialogue with Pakistan can only occur on terrorismand Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, rejecting any normalization withoutverifiable dismantling of terror networks. Rajnath Singh’s message servesas a reminder that any renewed misadventure would trigger an even moreintense response, potentially involving multiple domains.
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The broader implications extend to regional stability, where India’sassertive posture aims to deter future attacks while promoting peacethrough strength. By framing the fight ideologically, New Delhi seeks toaddress root causes beyond mere military containment, urging internationalrecognition of Pakistan’s role in fostering extremism.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2149356
Pahalgam Attack
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