Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Hails Operation Sindoor as a Defining Moment in India’s Fight Against Terrorism
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday praised the Indian Armed Forces for their courageous and calculated response to recent provocations from Pakistan, highlighting that the military had successfully carried out strikes on multiple Pakistani military bases in retaliation for cross-border terrorism.
Speaking virtually at an event in Lucknow to inaugurate a new BrahMos missile production unit, Singh said the recently launched Operation Sindoor was not merely a military maneuver but a powerful expression of India’s political resolve, societal unity, and strategic strength in combating terrorism.
“Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to India’s unyielding will to confront and defeat terrorism in all its forms,” Singh declared.
He noted that the operation was carried out following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed numerous innocent lives and shocked the nation.
In response, the Indian military launched a series of precision strikes on May 7 targeting nine major terrorist infrastructure facilities located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
All further military responses to Pakistani provocations were coordinated under the umbrella of Operation Sindoor.
“This operation has sent a clear message—not just to the perpetrators, but to the world—that India will not remain passive in the face of terror.
Our forces displayed immense bravery and discipline, striking decisively while avoiding civilian targets,” Singh said. He contrasted India’s approach with Pakistan’s alleged actions, accusing the neighboring country of deliberately targeting Indian civilian areas, including religious places such as temples, gurudwaras, and churches.
Referring to the Indian military’s strategic depth, Singh said, “We didn’t limit ourselves to action near the border. The impact of our operations was felt deep inside Pakistan—even in Rawalpindi, where their army headquarters is located.”
He emphasized that India’s actions have always been motivated by a desire to uphold peace and protect innocent lives. “We have never initiated conflict or targeted civilians. But when pushed to the wall, India responds with strength, precision, and responsibility.”
The Defence Minister recalled previous decisive military action, such as the surgical strikes following the Uri attack and the air strikes on Balakot in response to the Pulwama attack k as proof of a clear shift in India’s national security doctrine.
“Now, after Pahalgam, the world has once again witnessed India’s ability and willingness to take the fight to the source of terror,” he stated.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted the emotional and symbolic significance of Operation Sindoor, saying it honored the families that had lost loved ones to terrorism.
“Through this operation, the Indian military delivered justice to those who stole the vermilion (sindoor) of countless families,” he said, referencing the cultural and emotional weight of the losses suffered.
Touching upon India’s strategic leadership, Singh affirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has ushered in a new era of security policy, one in which India will not tolerate terror emanating from across the border.
“The Prime Minister has made it abundantly clear: this is a new India, one that does not hesitate to act decisively against terrorism—wherever it originates,” Singh asserted.
While the situation has since calmed, with India and Pakistan reaching an understanding on Saturday to immediately halt all military actions on land, air, and sea, the Defence Minister made it clear that India’s resolve remains firm.
“The world has seen what happens when terrorism is exported to India. There are consequences,” he concluded.
