In a stern message to Pakistan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday said that India is fully prepared to take decisive military action if provoked again and made it clear that if Pakistan wants to continue existing “geographically”, it must stop cross-border terrorism.
Addressing jawans in Rajasthan’s Anupgarh, the Army Chief said, “India is fully prepared this time. We will not show the restraint we exhibited during Operation Sindoor 1.0. This time, the action will be such that perhaps Pakistan will have to think whether it wants to exist geographically.”
“If Pakistan wants to continue with its position in geography, it should stop its state-sponsored terrorism,” he added.
The Army Chief also conveyed a special message from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, crediting the troops for the success of Operation Sindoor 1.0.
“The Defence Minister specifically asked me to tell you that the entire credit goes to you. Operation Sindoor is linked to our lives in such a way that it will remain with us forever. Whenever a woman applies sindoor on her forehead, she remembers the men in uniform standing guard at the borders,” he said.
General Dwivedi noted that his visit to the forward areas was to review operational readiness in the event of a possible Operation Sindoor 2.0.
“The motive behind my visit here was to see our preparedness. I am confident that if we get the chance, we are fully prepared. Whenever the opportunity arises, the results will be in our favour,” he said.
Any move in Sir Creek will alter history: Rajnath
On Thursday, in a similar warning to Pakistan, the defence minister warned against expanding military infrastructure in the bordering Sir Creek area, saying it would be met with a decisive response that can alter both history and geography.
“Even after 78 years of independence, a dispute over the border in the Sir Creek area is being stirred up. India has made several attempts to resolve it through dialogue, but there is a flaw in Pakistan’s intentions; its intentions are not clear. The way in which the Pakistan army has recently expanded its military infrastructure in areas adjacent to Sir Creek reveals its intentions,” said Rajnath Singh, who performed the Shastra Pooja of the L-70 Air Defence Gun on the occasion of Vijayadashami at the Bhuj Military Base, which was successfully used during Operation Sindoor.
Continuing with tradition, the minister visited areas near the Sir Creek line in the Rann of Kutch marshlands and acknowledged the efforts of soldiers in defending against threats from Pakistan, praising their courage and valour.
“The Indian Army and BSF are jointly and vigilantly protecting the borders of India. If any misadventure is attempted from the Pakistan side in the Sir Creek area, it will receive such a decisive response that both history and geography will change. In the 1965 war, the Indian Army had demonstrated the capability to reach Lahore. Today in 2025, Pakistan should remember that one route to Karachi passes through the creek,” he added.
Sir Creek — a 96-kilometre-long disputed tidal waterway between India and Pakistan — lies between Gujarat’s Kutch region and Pakistan’s Sindh province. While India maintains that the boundary should run through the middle of the creek, Pakistan claims it lies along the eastern bank, closer to Indian territory.
Singh said that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to breach India’s defences from Leh to Sir Creek, but the attempt failed.
“Today’s India says that whether it is terrorism or any other kind of problem, we have the capability to deal with and defeat it,” Singh said.
“During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan made a failed attempt to breach India’s defence system from Leh to this area of Sir Creek. India’s armed forces completely exposed the Pakistani air defence system and sent a message to the world that India’s armed forces can inflict heavy damage on Pakistan whenever, wherever, and however they wish,” he added.
Lauding the Indian Armed Forces, Singh credited their joint efforts for the swift execution of Operation Sindoor. He emphasised that victory in such operations does not come from weapons alone, but from the bravery, discipline, and determination of those who serve.
“Weapons alone are not enough,” he said, highlighting the armed forces’ “courage, unity, and resolve, which ensure victory in difficult situations.”
He also underscored India’s measured approach during the operation, saying that despite having the capability to escalate, the focus remained solely on counter-terrorism.
Singh expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the operation and reaffirmed India’s commitment to continue its fight against terrorism with unwavering resolve.
With inputs from agencies
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