Army Chief Issues Stark Warning to Pakistan over Terrorism Escalation

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi delivered a strong warning to Pakistan on Friday, stating that the Indian armed forces would not exercise restraint as they did during "Operation Sindoor 1.0" if Pakistan continues its alleged state-sponsored terrorism. Speaking at an event, Dwivedi emphasised that any future response could be so decisive that Pakistan would need to reconsider its very existence in its current geographical form. "This time we will do something that Pakistan will have to think about, whether it wants to be in the geography or not," he said, adding that cessation of cross-border terrorism is essential for Pakistan's stability.

The remarks come in the context of heightened tensions following Operation Sindoor, India's military operation launched in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure across the border, escalating bilateral strains. Dwivedi's statement aligns with recent comments from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who on Thursday highlighted vulnerabilities in the Sir Creek area and warned of a response that could "change both history and geography." Singh referenced the 1965 Indo-Pak war, noting India's past capability to advance towards Lahore and implying a route to Karachi via the creek in any future conflict.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously indicated that India has only paused its military actions and remains vigilant against further provocations. Adding to the military's narrative, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh dismissed Pakistan's claims of downing multiple Indian jets during Operation Sindoor as "sweet fantasies" or "manohar kahaniyan". Singh revealed that India had destroyed 4-5 Pakistani F-16 fighter jets, questioning the absence of evidence from Pakistan to support its assertions. "Have you seen a single picture where something fell on any of our airbases?" he asked, contrasting it with India's release of imagery showing damage to Pakistani sites.

Also Read: Amit Shah Promises End to India’s Endless Courtroom Delays

These developments underscore ongoing frictions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting terrorism—a charge Islamabad denies. Established in 1947 post-partition, Indo-Pak relations have been marred by conflicts over Kashmir and cross-border incidents. While dialogue remains stalled, as noted by Singh amid the 78th year of independence, Indian officials stress readiness to protect borders jointly through the Army and Border Security Force (BSF). Analysts suggest these warnings aim to deter aggression amid domestic and regional pressures, though they risk further escalation in South Asia.

Also Read: Maharashtra CM Compares Rahul Gandhi to Indira Gandhi’s Emergency Era