‘A Trusted Orchestra’: Army Chief Hails Op Sindoor, Says 9 Targets Destroyed In 22 Minutes

Last Updated:November 22, 2025, 18:26 IST

Operation Sindoor was India’s direct military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives

Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Image: PTI)

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday described Operation Sindoor as a “trusted orchestra” in which Indian forces played a “synergistic role”, neutralising nine terrorist targets in just 22 minutes.

Speaking at the 27th convocation of NDIM in Delhi, he said the success of the mission rested on seamless coordination and trust across all units involved.

“Operation Sindoor was a trusted orchestra where every musician played a simultaneous or synergistic role,” the Army Chief said.

“That is how, in 22 minutes, we were able to destroy nine terrorist targets, and in 88 hours ensure that the battle came to an end. But more importantly, there would have been no time for decision-making had we not visualised and trusted the entire team.”

Operation Sindoor was India’s direct military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.

Launching the offensive in the early hours of May 7, the Indian military targeted terror infrastructure located across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The operation continued until a ceasefire took effect on May 10.

The four-day clash witnessed the deployment of fighter jets, missiles, armed drones and heavy artillery in what marked one of the most forceful Indian responses in recent years.

‘Trailer, Not the Movie’

Earlier this week, Gen Dwivedi had offered a blunt message to Pakistan, asserting that the May confrontation under Operation Sindoor was “only a trailer.”

“As far as Sindoor 1.0 is concerned, the movie had not even started. We just showed them a trailer and that trailer ended in 88 hours,” he said at a curtain-raiser for the Chanakya Defence Dialogue.

“If Pakistan gives us a chance again, we will educate them on how a responsible nation should behave with its neighbours.”

He added that India remains prepared for future contingencies and will respond decisively to any provocation.

Gen Dwivedi also reiterated that India views terror groups and their backers as indistinguishable, stressing that any party enabling terrorism would face consequences.

“Whether it is the terrorists or their masters, they are the same for us,” he said. “Even if we get a ‘bairang chitthi’ (unstamped letter), we know who to respond to. We are not worried about that.”

Emphasising India’s commitment to peace, he said the country seeks progress and stability but will not hesitate to act against those who attempt to derail it..

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