NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday inaugurated 125 infrastructure projects completed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and asserted that India’s armed forces demonstrated strategic restraint during Operation Sindoor, despite having the capability to escalate their response.
Addressing the gathering, Singh revisited Operation Sindoor, which was executed in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.
Capability and Restraint
The Defence Minister emphasized that the operation, which targeted terror establishments in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, showcased the discipline of the Indian forces:
- “Our armed forces executed Operation Sindoor, and the world knows what they did to the terrorists,” he said.
- Singh added that the forces “could have done much more,” but deliberately opted for a “restrained” and “calibrated” response, neutralizing terror threats without unnecessary escalation.
Connectivity as a Force Multiplier
Singh stressed that the success of Operation Sindoor was directly linked to improved infrastructure, stating that “such a massive operation became possible due to strong connectivity.”
He praised the BRO’s efforts, noting that the enhanced connectivity in border areas is “transforming security in multiple ways” by enabling troops to operate more effectively and ensuring logistics are delivered right on time.
The Minister also expressed gratitude for the “incredible coordination” seen between the armed forces, civil administration, and citizens of border areas, particularly Ladakh, calling this mutual bond India’s “most distinct identity in the world.”