New Delhi, January 13, 2026: In a detailed briefing on India’s counterterrorism operations, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday shared fresh insights into Operation Sindoor, underscoring India’s preparedness for escalation following the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025. The remarks highlighted India’s readiness for a potential ground offensive and ongoing vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).

Operation Sindoor: Context and Launch

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a brutal attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, primarily tourists. The assault was attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based terror group linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. While Pakistan and TRF denied involvement, India initiated a swift and coordinated military response targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The tri-service operation—carried out by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force—demonstrated India’s ability to strike multiple high-value targets with precision. The operation triggered a four-day stand-off between India and Pakistan, prompting blackouts, air raid sirens, and heightened security along both the LoC and IB.

Army Chief Details the Current Situation

During his annual press conference, General Dwivedi elaborated on India’s posture since the operation:

• Preparedness for escalation: He confirmed that India had undertaken major mobilisation and was ready for a ground offensive if hostilities escalated beyond air and targeted strikes.
• Active terror camps: According to intelligence, approximately eight terror camps remain active—two along the International Border and six along the Line of Control. These camps continue to show some presence and training activity, though India remains vigilant and ready to act.
• Ongoing Operation Sindoor: The Army chief emphasised that Operation Sindoor is still underway, with the Indian Armed Forces maintaining heightened alert and operational readiness to pre-empt any threats.

“These camps are monitored continuously, and any hostile activity will be met with decisive action,” General Dwivedi said, highlighting the military’s proactive approach to national security.

Strategic Significance

The Army chief’s remarks underline several key points about India’s strategic and operational planning:

1. Tri-service coordination: Operation Sindoor involved the Army, Navy, and Air Force acting in synergy, reflecting the military’s capability to execute joint operations across land, air, and maritime domains.
2. Rapid response: The strikes in May 2025 were executed within hours of the Pahalgam attack, demonstrating India’s capacity for quick mobilisation and precision targeting of terror infrastructure.
3. Deterrence posture: By making public the readiness for ground offensive and ongoing monitoring of terror camps, India signals a strong deterrence message to adversaries across the LoC and IB.

Broader Context

Operation Sindoor came on the heels of growing tensions along the Kashmir frontier. The Pahalgam attack was the deadliest terror incident in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack, and it renewed focus on Pakistan-based terror infrastructure. India’s decisive response aimed not only to neutralise immediate threats but also to disrupt terror networks and logistics chains across the border.

The operation’s success, coupled with India’s warning of continued vigilance, has shaped a new paradigm of pre-emptive counterterrorism along the frontier. While the threat persists, General Dwivedi emphasised that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive but firmly under control.

Moving Forward

The Army chief highlighted that surveillance and intelligence operations will continue unabated. Any attempt by terror groups to re-establish training camps or infiltrate Indian territory will be met with immediate military response.

“In case any hostile activity occurs again, we will carry out whatever action we intend to take,” General Dwivedi stated, reiterating India’s commitment to proactive defence and counterterrorism.

India’s Operation Sindoor stands as a testament to its operational readiness, tri-service synergy, and strategic foresight. The episode also underscores the importance of continuous intelligence, rapid response, and readiness for escalationto counter evolving threats from across the border.

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