Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has taken a swipe at Pakistan's claims of victory following the May clashes sparked by Operation Sindoor, emphasizing the operation's success was due to the "free hand" given to the forces. Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian armed forces on May 7th in response to the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the death of 26 civilians. The operation involved precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Dwivedi's remarks challenge the narrative of Pakistani leaders who have attempted to portray the events following Operation Sindoor as a victory for their country. The Army Chief's statement underscores India's perspective that the operation achieved its objectives of targeting terrorist infrastructure. According to India, the strikes targeted nine sites linked to terror outfits, including Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. India has maintained that no civilian or military installations were hit during the operation.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), stated that Indian forces downed five Pakistani fighter jets and one airborne surveillance aircraft during Operation Sindoor. He described it as "the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill that we can talk about". Singh detailed the damage inflicted on Pakistan's air assets and infrastructure, including US-made F-16 jets at Jacobabad airbase, an AEW&C aircraft, command and control centers, and radars. He also mentioned getting a chance "to go to Sargodha" just before his retirement, referencing one of the key bases hit during India's strikes.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has denied that any of the country's military aircraft were hit or destroyed by Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor. Asif called the IAF chief's remarks "implausible" and "ill-timed," and alleged that India's own losses along the Line of Control were "disproportionately heavier". He challenged India to open their aircraft inventories to independent verification.
Tensions between the two countries remain high following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. DG ISPR, the Pakistan military's media wing, stated that Pakistan would strike "deeper within India" if India were to carry out any similar military action in the future. They also added that the Pakistan army chief Munir's controversial 'two-nation' speech days before Pahalgam attack reflected 'what he stands for, what he is ready to die for’.
General Dwivedi asserted that India achieved a decisive victory by effectively targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. He stated that the army targeted the terrorist infrastructure and foiled Pakistan's aggressive moves. Dwivedi emphasized that India gave peace a chance, but Pakistan resorted to cowardice. He also affirmed that the Indian Army is on its way to becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh also hailed the S-400 air defense system and said it did a "wonderful job" during Operation Sindoor. He also credited National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s role in Operation Sindoor, helping bring other agencies and forces together.
