“Message Is Act”: Jaishankar Says Operation Sindoor Will Continue, Warns of Retaliation for Future Terror Strikes

37
337

New Delhi: India will not hesitate to strike back at terror groups operating from across the border, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warned in a firm message to Pakistan, declaring that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing and active despite a current cessation of hostilities.

In an interview with Dutch public broadcaster NOS, Jaishankar made it unequivocally clear that India’s new counter-terror strategy involves direct retaliation—regardless of where the terrorists are based.

“If the terrorists are in Pakistan, we will hit them where they are,” said Jaishankar, referencing the ongoing Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.

Jaishankar emphasized that while a temporary halt in military actions has been agreed upon, India’s resolve to act against terror infrastructure remains undiminished.

“The operation continues because there is a clear message in that operation – that if there are acts of the kind we saw on April 22, there will be a response, that we will hit the terrorists,” he added.

Operation Sindoor marked a significant escalation in India’s response to cross-border terrorism. The operation, which targeted nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan-controlled territory, led to four days of intense military engagement involving drones, missiles, and long-range weaponry.

Jaishankar clarified that the May 10 understanding to pause hostilities was strictly bilateral, dismissing any suggestion of U.S. involvement in mediating the ceasefire.

“The May 10 understanding on halting military actions was reached bilaterally by India and Pakistan after Indian strikes compelled the Pakistani military to accept that we need to stop firing at each other,” he said, firmly ruling out any third-party role in future talks.

The external affairs minister reiterated that the Pahalgam attack was a deliberate act of brutality, where victims were identified by their faith before being murdered in front of their families.

“The fighting was triggered by a very barbaric terrorist attack,” he said, underlining that the aim was not only to spread fear but to undermine tourism and provoke religious discord in the Kashmir Valley.

When asked if Operation Sindoor is now dormant, Jaishankar pushed back against the terminology.

“Put whatever word you want to, but I can tell you the message is clear and the message is act,” he said.

37 COMMENTS

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here