Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday cautioned that it was premature to judge the long-term impact of Operation Sindoor on the Line of Control (LoC), stressing that Pakistan-backed terrorism remained a persistent threat. Speaking at a book launch event, he said infiltration attempts by militants across the LoC were continuing, indicating that state-sponsored terrorism from across the border had not ended despite India’s decisive military action.
“It is too early to comment on the effect of Operation Sindoor on the LoC situation, as it has not been that long since it ended. Has state-sponsored terrorism ended? I don’t think so, because infiltration attempts are still happening,” he said, adding that while several terrorists were neutralised, others had managed to escape.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, was not confined to just three days, General Dwivedi clarified. He said the operation continued for a longer duration as multiple strategic decisions had to be executed, though he declined to share operational specifics. Highlighting the coordinated efforts of the armed forces, he described the military synergy as a “rhythmic wave” where all personnel were fully aware of their roles and orders.
On the question of theaterisation, General Dwivedi asserted that integration of the three services into a unified command structure was inevitable. “Theaterisation will happen, whether today or tomorrow. The question is only how long it will take,” he remarked, underscoring that unity of command was essential in modern warfare where tri-services, civil authorities, and cyber agencies must operate seamlessly.
The Army Chief also linked the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms to defence preparedness, calling them a major boost to military modernisation. He specifically welcomed the reduction of GST on drones from 18 per cent to 5 per cent, saying it would enable large-scale procurement and enhance India’s defence corridors. He added that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups would benefit significantly from the reform, helping them overcome resource constraints and expand their role in India’s defence ecosystem.
General Dwivedi’s remarks reinforced the message that while Operation Sindoor marked a strong response to cross-border terror, India’s security challenges at the LoC remain ongoing, necessitating constant vigilance and long-term structural reforms in the armed forces.
