India’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday outlined the major takeaways from Operation Sindoor, the 88-hour military action against Pakistan-based terrorists, and said the operation served as a “reality check” for India’s hostile neighbour.
Speaking at the Chanakya Defence Dialogues in New Delhi, General Dwivedi said,
“Operation Sindoor was just a trailer. We are prepared for any future circumstances. If Pakistan gives a chance, we will teach it how to behave responsibly with a neighbouring nation.”
Three Major Lessons Identified
General Dwivedi detailed three core lessons the armed forces drew from the operation:
- Integrated warfare:
He stressed that modern battles are “multi-domain”, requiring seamless coordination between the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
“Just the Army cannot fight a battle; everyone has to fight together,” he said. - Sustaining long-duration conflict:
While Operation Sindoor lasted 88 hours, he cautioned future conflicts may last months or even years.
“Do we have enough supplies and weapons to fight that? If not, we need to prepare now,” he added. - Rapid decision-making at every level:
The General emphasised that the operation reinforced the importance of swift, decentralised command decisions.
“We have very little time to take decisions, and decisions must be taken at every level,” he said.
‘New Normal’ After the Pahalgam Terror Attack
Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, General Dwivedi said India has established a “new normal” in its response to cross-border terrorism.
“Talks and terror can’t go together,” he reiterated, adding that India expects Pakistan to adopt a peaceful approach.
“Until then, we will treat terrorists and their sponsors alike.”
Security in Jammu & Kashmir
The Army Chief highlighted improved security in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, noting a decline in terror incidents.
“After this, political clarity has come,” he said.