'Operation Sindoor' still on, forces prepared for next phase, says Army chief

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday said that the Indian armed forces are fully prepared for "Operation Sindoor 2.0" if the need arises, stressing that all three services are enhancing coordination and capabilities to meet the demands of future warfare.

Speaking on the sidelines of the passing-out parade of the 150th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, General Dwivedi said that while there is currently a temporary cessation of hostilities, the Army, Navy and Air Force are preparing for any future developments.

Operation Sindoor was launched by India in May 2025 to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, in which 26 people were killed.

Preparing for the next phase

General Dwivedi said that Operation Sindoor is still continuing and that the armed forces remain ready for a possible next phase of operations if circumstances require it.

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He said the three services are working to strengthen jointness and interoperability while adapting to the changing nature of warfare. According to the Army chief, future conflicts will increasingly extend beyond traditional battlefields and involve domains such as space, cyber and cognitive warfare.

He also highlighted the growing transparency of modern battlefields, where technological advancements allow movements and deployments to be monitored in real time.

Focus on force protection

Referring to recent operational experiences, General Dwivedi said that military planners must exercise greater caution in the deployment and employment of forces.

He noted that continuous surveillance and advanced monitoring systems have made battlefields more transparent than ever before, requiring enhanced measures to protect troops and civilians, particularly in border areas.

The Army chief also underlined the importance of information warfare, saying success in this domain depends on public trust and national unity. He said a nation that trusts its institutions and information sources is better positioned to overcome challenges during times of conflict.

Drone training a priority

General Dwivedi said that drone technology is becoming an essential component of modern warfare and that the Army is focusing on ensuring soldiers are trained to operate unmanned systems.

He referred to his vision of "Eagle on the Arms", which aims to ensure that every soldier develops basic drone-operating skills. Training programmes are already being conducted at military academies and other institutions across the country.

The Army chief said he had personally provided drones and simulators to training teams to strengthen practical learning for cadets. He noted that future battlefields will feature extensive use of drones, making familiarity with the technology a critical requirement for young officers and soldiers.