2016, 2019 strikes paved the way for Op Sindoor: Rajnath
NEW DELHI: Operation Sindoor is the natural progression of the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes in Pakistan, and it was conducted in a manner that forced Islamabad to ask for a ceasefire, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday, articulating India's firm resolve to fight terrorism. Defence minister Rajnath Singh performs yoga on the 11th International Day of Yoga, at Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur on Saturday. (ANI Photo)
'It was executed in such a way that Pakistan requested for a ceasefire, and only then have we put a pause to the operation. As I have said earlier, Operation Sindoor is not over yet. India is fully prepared to take all kinds of action against terrorism,' Singh said at an International Yoga Day function organised by the army in Udhampur.
The army's Northern Command based in Udhampur is the nerve centre of counterterrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were shot dead. It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10.
Singh led the armed forces' yoga day celebrations, with around 2,500 soldiers taking part in the Northern Command event. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Northern Army commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma were present.
'Yoga gives clarity to the people in chaos. It is an art, a science, a philosophy, and spirituality. Those who practice yoga in their daily lives have control over their body and mind. It makes us proactive, not reactive,' he said in his address, describing Operation Sindoor as a shining example of that 'control.'
The Indian armed forces showed restraint, balance and precision during the operation, which is a reflection of their inner strength attained by practicing yoga, he said. The operation was a clear message to Pakistan that it will face the consequences for supporting terror activities against India, he said.
Pakistan wants to weaken India from within, but it should never forget that just like Major Somnath Sharma, Brigadier Mohammad Usman too sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the country, Singh said referring to the bravehearts who fought valiantly during the 1947-48 India-Pakistan war. Sharma and Usman were posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra and the Maha Vir Chakra, respectively --- the country's highest and second highest wartime honours.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
38 minutes ago
- Hans India
Punjab Police arrest two suspects with links to Pakistan's ISI
New Delhi: In a major intelligence-based operation, Amritsar Rural Police in Punjab apprehended two persons suspected of espionage activities linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said this on his X handle on Sunday, also announcing the identities of the two accused. The arrested accused were identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopy Foji and Sahil Masih alias Shali. The preliminary investigation has revealed that Gurpreet Singh was in direct contact with operatives of the Pakistan ISI and is suspected of sharing sensitive and confidential information via pen drives. The key ISI handler involved in the case has been identified as Rana Javed, said the DGP in his post. 'Two mobile phones reportedly used to communicate with ISI operatives has been seized,' the post further said. The DGP said that investigations 'are underway to dismantle the broader espionage-terror network.' He also said that the probe is aimed at identifying all collaborators. DGP Yadav in the post said that the Punjab Police remain committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the nation and will take all necessary actions against those involved in anti-national activities. Earlier in an operation, the Punjab Police arrested a spy with links to ISI and Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla. The accused, Gagandeep Singh, was arrested in Tarn Taran on June 2. According to officials, he had been leaking sensitive and classified information, including details of troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a serious threat to national security. Investigations have also revealed that the accused had been sharing classified information, including troop deployments, strategic locations, and army movements during Operation Sindoor, posing a serious threat to national security, the DGP had said. The police teams recovered two mobile devices from the possession of the accused, containing sensitive intelligence that he shared with the Pakistani intelligence operatives, as well as the details of over 20 ISI contacts. The accused has also received payments from operatives via Indian channels. On June 21, in a major breakthrough, Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled a Pakistan-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module being operated by UK-based handler Dharam Singh, alias Dharma Sandhu, with the arrest of a local operative and recovered six sophisticated foreign-made pistols from his possession, said DGP Gaurav Yadav on Saturday. The arrested accused were identified as Onkar Singh, alias Nawab, a resident of Jalalusma village in Amritsar. The weapons, smuggled via drones from across the India-Pakistan border, include four 9MM Glock pistols and two .30 bore PX5 pistols.
United News of India
40 minutes ago
- United News of India
Army Chief reviews security, preparedness for Amarnath Yatra
Srinagar, June 22 (UNI) Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi reviewed the security grid in Kashmir and assessed preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, Army said on Sunday. During his visit, the Army Chief was briefed on the prevailing security scenario, operational dynamics, and broader strategic landscape in the region. A demonstration was also held on the integration of advanced technologies to enhance surveillance, decision-making, and response capabilities. Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI)in a post on X said COAS, reviewed the security grid in the Kashmir region and assessed preparedness for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025. 'He was briefed on the current operational dynamics and the broader strategic landscape including a demonstration on integration of advanced technologies in operations, leading to smarter decisions, enhanced surveillance and response mechanisms,' ADGPI said. The COAS lauded all ranks of Srinagar based Chinar Corps for their unwavering commitment in ensuring peace and stability through decisive counter-terror operations and initiatives aimed at development of the region & upliftment of local population. The annual Amarnath Yatra is set to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 8. Securing the pilgrimage is regarded as one of the Valley's most extensive security exercises. This year's yatra, significantly shorter than last year's 52-day schedule, comes in the backdrop of the April 22 terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local resident. UNI MJR BM
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
NIA arrests 2 Pahalgam residents for ‘harbouring LeT terrorists' involved in April 22 terror attack
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two local residents for allegedly harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir. 'The two men – identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam – have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT),' a NIA spokesperson said. Twenty-six people were killed in the attack and 16 others were injured. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation, striking terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which was followed by three days of military confrontation between the two countries. Adding that as per the probe, Parvaiz and Bashir knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack, the spokesperson said, 'The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever.' 'The NIA, which has arrested the duo under section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, is further investigating the case, registered after the attack that shook the world… Further investigations in the case are continuing,' the spokesperson stated. Earlier this month, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) — the global money laundering and terror financing watchdog — condemned the 'brutal terrorist attack' in Pahalgam and noted that such attacks cannot occur 'without money and the means to move funds between terrorist supporters'. Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More
