Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Western Command, has asserted that Operation Sindoor 2.0 would be “more deadly” if Pakistan continues its terror activities targeting India.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Lt Gen Katiyar highlighted that India’s response next time would exceed the scale of destruction achieved during the first Operation Sindoor, which saw multiple Pakistani airbases and military posts targeted. “Unless Pakistan’s way of thinking changes, it will continue to take such actions. Whatever action we take this time will be more than last time… Operation Sindoor 2.0 has to be deadlier,” he stated.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was a punitive response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The campaign targeted nine major terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC) and inside Pakistan, aiming to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Lt Gen Katiyar praised the support received from local administration, ex-servicemen, and civilians, which contributed to the operation’s success. Addressing an ex-servicemen rally commemorating 60 years of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, he reiterated that the Indian Army remains prepared to thwart any future attacks from Pakistan.
Reflecting on history, Lt Gen Katiyar recalled Pakistan’s defeat in the 1965 war, attributing it to the patriotism and support of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “About 10,000 Razakars trained by the Pakistani army infiltrated, but they underestimated the patriotism of the people. With the help of the public, the Indian Army chased them away,” he said.
The Lieutenant General’s remarks underscore India’s determination to maintain national security and readiness to respond decisively against cross-border terrorism.
