Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, made a stern threat on Saturday, declaring that if Pakistan or its terror groups backed by Pakistan ever launch another attack, "our response this time will be more stringent" than previously. He also reiterates that Operation Sindoor is still going on.
"Operation Sindoor was not only a fight but was also our preparation to counter any hostile attempt by Pakistan. Our readiness still continues. There is no stoppage in it," he told reporters in Chandigarh.
The raid, which was conducted on the night of May 7, comprised pre-dawn missile attacks by Indian military targets on nine terrorism hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Targeting centers included Jaish-e-Mohammad's Bahawalpur base and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.
This military operation came in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. After India launched the strikes, Pakistan retaliated with shelling and attacks on Indian army installations along the border for three days in a row, but the Indian army returned a resounding counterattack, and its missiles and aircraft targeted major Pakistani airbases.
Referring to the diamond jubilee celebrations of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1965 war, Lt Gen Katiyar said that on the ground situation has been quiet since the ceasefire on May 10. But he underlined that there is not much trust in Pakistan's restraint.
"But we do not have full faith in it. We feel that it is possible that Pakistan or its terror organisations may carry out any terror strike again, then we have no option other than giving a reply in a befitting manner. We have clearly stated that our reply this time will be more severe than the earlier one. For this, our Operation Sindoor still continues," he said.
Lt Gen Katiyar pointed out the larger motive behind the Pahalgam attack, that it was to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir.
"With the way this terror attack took place, select killings took place, its another motive was to foment communalism in India. It is a big challenge for us," he said, adding that the neighbouring country would continue to attempt to disturb India's secular character.
Referring to the 1965 war, Katiyar said, "We learnt a lot of things from the 1965 war -- how to keep coordination between the Army and the Air Force, how to do the planning of defensive and offensive operations."
He also emphasized the role of manpower over technology, saying, "The most important thing that we learned from the 1965 war is that technology is valuable, but the man behind the machine was more valuable." He indicated that even though Pakistan had better tanks and aircraft, "we achieved victory as the morale of our troops was very high."
Replying to a question, he said there are certain things that do not change in a war. "Of them, which is more important is that we have to destroy the enemy and capture enemy areas, and it will ensure victory," he said.
To another question, he said drones will be used on a big scale in future conflicts. "You saw in Operation Sindoor and (drones) will be used in the next conflicts," he said.
As drones were being used in many other fields, he said, "talent within the military was being utilised for making drones for future conflicts. Drones are to be used in every field. And the Army is also adapting drones on a very big level."
Read also| Supreme Court Proposes Nationwide Firecracker Ban: Beyond Delhi, Where ‘Elites’ Are
