New Delhi, December 7, 2025 – Highlighting India’s strategic restraint and the importance of infrastructure in national security, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the Indian armed forces “could have done much more” during Operation Sindoor, the May military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, but deliberately chose a calibrated and restrained approach.

Addressing the inauguration of 125 infrastructure projects executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) across multiple states, Singh stressed that the operation not only neutralized terror threats but also showcased the capability, discipline, and coordination of India’s armed forces.

Operation Sindoor: Precision and Restraint

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Indian forces targeted terror and military installations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with precision strikes, and the operation concluded by May 10 with a ceasefire, avoiding further escalation.

Singh said the armed forces’ actions demonstrated both valour and strategic restraint, reflecting the discipline of Indian troops in a high-stakes scenario. “Our forces could have done much more, but they demonstrated incredible courage while adhering to a measured and restrained approach,” he said.

He further highlighted the coordination between the armed forces, civil administration, and citizens in border areas during the operation. “During Operation Sindoor, the support extended by the people of Ladakh and other border areas was extraordinary. Such coordination is what defines our identity as a nation and sets us apart globally,” Singh said.

Connectivity as a Force Multiplier

Singh linked the success of Operation Sindoor to robust infrastructure and connectivity in border regions, which enabled timely delivery of logistics and seamless movement of troops. “Such massive operations are only possible when our armed forces can rely on strong roads, bridges, tunnels, and other logistical support,” he said, underlining the strategic significance of the BRO projects.

The defence minister explained that improved connectivity transforms security in multiple ways: it enhances military mobility, facilitates rapid deployment in challenging terrain, and strengthens civil-military cooperation. According to Singh, the lessons from Operation Sindoor are being incorporated into the theaterisation model, a long-awaited military reform aimed at optimally utilizing resources for future conflicts.

Inauguration of 125 Strategic Projects

At the event, Singh dedicated 125 BRO infrastructure projects, executed at a total cost of ₹5,000 crore, across states including Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and West Bengal. The projects encompass 28 roads, 98 bridges, and 4 miscellaneous projects, aimed at improving last-mile connectivity to forward military locations and remote villages.

Among the key projects inaugurated was the Shyok tunnel on the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Ladakh, hailed as an engineering marvel that ensures all-weather connectivity to strategic areas. Singh said the tunnel significantly enhances security, mobility, and rapid deployment capabilities for troops stationed in extreme terrains.

The Defence Ministry noted that in the past two years, 356 BRO projects have been dedicated to the nation, setting a benchmark in strategic infrastructure development, with the BRO incurring a record expenditure of ₹16,690 crore in FY 2024-25 and targeting ₹18,700 crore in FY 2025-26.

A Broader Vision for Border Security

Singh emphasized that infrastructure in border areas is not merely developmental, but a core pillar of national security. Roads, tunnels, smart fencing, integrated command centers, and surveillance systems collectively enable rapid troop deployment and enhance operational readiness, he explained.

“Infrastructure is the backbone of security. It ensures military mobility, smooth transport of logistics, and, crucially, stronger faith in development and governance among border communities,” Singh said.

The defence minister also highlighted India’s focus on the holistic development of border regions, stating that improving connectivity supports tourism, creates employment, and strengthens the link between frontier areas and the national mainstream.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor is being hailed as a model of calibrated military response, where courage was matched by discipline, and power was exercised with strategic restraint. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks underscored that connectivity and infrastructure are force multipliers, enabling India’s armed forces to operate effectively while maintaining civilian oversight and strategic prudence.

By simultaneously inaugurating key projects, Singh reinforced the message that national security and development go hand in hand, and that the lessons from Operation Sindoor are shaping both military strategy and border infrastructure planning for years to come.

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