Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi visited forward positions in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, to commend Indian forces for their exemplary courage during Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched on May 7 in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, targeted terrorist infrastructure across nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), reportedly neutralizing over 100 militants.
During his visit, General Dwivedi presented the COAS Commendation Disc to Head Constable (GD) Rantana Ram of the Border Security Force’s 185th Battalion for his gallant contribution in the operation. The coordinated effort between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force focused on eliminating terror hubs associated with groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Among the major targets were the Markaz Subhan Allah complex in Bahawalpur and the Syedna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad. The strikes were described by defence officials as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” deliberately avoiding Pakistani military assets to prevent broader confrontation.
General Dwivedi praised both Army and BSF personnel for maintaining dominance along the Line of Control (LoC) and urged continued vigilance against cross-border threats. His visit followed a strategic review of Operation Sindoor on May 14, attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
The operation was triggered by the deadly terror strike in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, including Navy officer Vinay Narwal. The swift and precise Indian response has been described as a turning point in the country’s counterterrorism approach. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasized that India’s armed forces would pursue and punish terrorists wherever they may hide.
Operation Sindoor has intensified regional tensions, with Pakistani shelling in Poonch recently claiming the lives of 12 civilians and one Indian soldier. The Indian government has responded by convening an all-party meeting and ordering a nationwide security drill to prepare for potential retaliatory threats. Meanwhile, a parliamentary panel is examining the role of misinformation and social media activity following the Pahalgam incident.
Baramulla, long a flashpoint in the Kashmir conflict, holds strategic significance dating back to the 1947 tribal invasions. Operation Sindoor reaffirms India’s evolving doctrine on cross-border counterterrorism, reinforcing its commitment to neutralize threats beyond its borders and protect its citizens.
