Stopped Op Sindoor Voluntarily, were Ready for Long War: Rajnath Singh
Singh described Pakistan as the epicentre of international terrorism and stressed the need to eliminate the ideological and political roots of terrorism
New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday affirmed that India voluntarily halted Operation Sindoor on its own terms and was fully prepared for a prolonged conflict with Pakistan if required.
Addressing the ANI National Security Summit 2.0, Singh described Pakistan as the epicentre of international terrorism and stressed the need to eliminate the ideological and political roots of terrorism.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Defence Minister highlighted the government’s “zero tolerance policy” toward terrorism. He also said India did not fall for what he called Pakistan’s “bluff” of a nuclear threat.
Recalling Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack last year, Singh said the operation marked a turning point in India’s approach to terrorism.
“It’s been almost a year since Operation Sindoor… it sent a message to the entire world that India is no longer bound by old thinking, where we only issue diplomatic statements after attacks. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, no terrorist activity will be tolerated,” he said.
He added that India’s armed forces have strengthened their capabilities and remain ready to scale up operations when needed.
“During Operation Sindoor, we precisely targeted those responsible. We did not stop the operation due to lack of capability—we stopped it voluntarily, on our own terms. If necessary, we were fully prepared for a long war. Our surge capacity remains strong and is even more robust today,” Singh said.
Criticising Pakistan, Singh outlined three dimensions of terrorism—operational, ideological and political—and stressed that all must be addressed to effectively combat it.
“The true roots of terrorism lie in its ideological and political support. This must be eliminated to stop its regeneration,” he said, adding that Pakistan continues to provide support to terror activities.
He contrasted India’s global reputation in information technology with Pakistan’s image as a hub of “international terrorism.” Singh also emphasised that India’s military-industrial complex is prepared for both peacetime and rapid wartime requirements.
Following the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. The armed forces targeted terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
The operation resulted in the destruction of nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, with over 100 terrorists reportedly killed.
Pakistan retaliated with drone attacks and shelling, triggering a four-day conflict. India responded with counterstrikes, including the destruction of radar installations in Lahore and near Gujranwala.
After suffering significant damage, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart, leading to a ceasefire agreement on May 10.
