India's Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, issued a strong warning to Pakistan on Friday, stating that if Pakistan wishes to remain on the world map, it must cease its support for terrorism. Speaking from an army post in Anupgarh, Rajasthan, General Dwivedi asserted that India will no longer exercise restraint if Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorist activities.

The Army Chief's statement referenced "Operation Sindoor," hinting that a second, more robust operation could be launched if Pakistan persists in exporting terror. He told soldiers to remain prepared, stating, "If God wills, you'll get an opportunity soon".

General Dwivedi emphasized that India presented evidence to the international community regarding the terror hideouts destroyed during Operation Sindoor. He stated that without India's actions, Pakistan would have concealed the truth.

These comments follow claims made earlier on Friday by Indian Air Force chief Amar Preet Singh, who stated that Indian forces had shot down five Pakistani fighter jets, including F-16s and JF-17s, during intense hostilities approximately five months prior.

The recent tensions stem from the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. This was the deadliest assault on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. New Delhi has stated that four suspects were linked to the Pahalgam attack, two of whom were Pakistani nationals.

Operation Sindoor, a large-scale precision strike carried out by Indian forces on May 7, targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Long-range weapons were used to eliminate training centers and masterminds while avoiding civilian and military infrastructure.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh claimed that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force shot down four to five Pakistani fighter jets, including U.S.-made F-16s and Chinese JF-17s, and a "big bird," believed to be an airborne warning and control aircraft.

The strikes in May brought India and Pakistan close to open war, but a ceasefire was reached on May 10 after Pakistani commanders reportedly requested that their Indian counterparts halt the offensive.

Amidst the tensions, on May 7, Indian fighter jets struck targets inside Pakistan, which New Delhi described as "terrorist infrastructure". The exchange escalated into days of cross-border strikes with jets, missiles, drones, and artillery until a ceasefire took effect on May 10, leaving multiple casualties. In July, India announced that three militants involved in the Pahalgam attack had been killed and insisted it had "detailed proof" of their Pakistani identity. Pakistan's foreign ministry dismissed the claim as "fabricated".

General Dwivedi also honored three personnel for their exceptional roles in Operation Sindoor: BSF 140th Battalion Commandant Prabhakar Singh, Rajputana Rifles Major Ritesh Kumar, and Havildar Mohit Gaira.