Rajasthan: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Friday issued a stern warning to Pakistan, saying the neighbouring country must stop sponsoring terrorism on its soil if it wants to retain its place on the world map.

Addressing soldiers in Anupgarh, Sriganganagar district, General Dwivedi asserted that India’s restraint during Operation Sindoor would not be repeated in any future military conflict. “India, as a country, is fully prepared this time. And this time, it will not show the restraint that it showed during Operation Sindoor 1.0. This time, we will take a step forward and act in a manner that will make Pakistan think whether it wants to remain on the world map or not,” he said.

The Army chief urged troops to remain fully prepared. “Keep yourselves fully prepared now, if god wants, the opportunity will come soon,” he added.

He highlighted that Operation Sindoor, conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, uncovered terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. India struck nine targets inside Pakistan, seven by the Army and two by the Air Force, focusing solely on terrorist bases. “We had identified the targets because we only wanted to harm the terrorists. We had aimed to strike their bases. We have no complaints against ordinary Pakistani citizens, so long as their country does not sponsor terrorists. Because terrorists were being sponsored, those terrorist targets were hit,” he said.

Replying to questions about civilians living near the international border, General Dwivedi said they are considered part of the nation’s defence: “We consider the border population not as ordinary civilians but as soldiers. That means they stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the battle. This is crucial because the coming struggle is the nation's struggle, not just the Army's.”

He recalled that during the 1965 and 1971 wars, ordinary citizens supported soldiers, adding, “We would want them to join us in the days ahead as well. I want to thank them; their zeal boosts the morale of our soldiers.”

PTI inputs