'Strikes not just near LoC': Ex-Army chief Naravane details how India changed tactics in Op Sindoor

May 10, 2025: Screengrab from a video of Army and security personnel during Operation Sindoor (Photo: @adgpi on X via PTI)

NEW DELHI: Former Army chief General M M Naravane on Saturday described Operation Sindoor as “very necessary action”, stating that it marked a significant shift in India’s approach towards Pakistan. Naravane said India moved beyond targeting terrorist bases along the border to striking their supporters and infrastructure deep inside Pakistan, signalling a more assertive response to cross-border terrorism.Speaking to reporters in Vadodara after attending an event, Naravane, the 28th Chief of the Army Staff, said India’s earlier responses to terror attacks, including the Uri and Pulwama attacks, had largely focused on terrorist hideouts close to the border.

“Operation Sindoor, which took place after the Pahalgam attack, was a very necessary action… Previously, whenever such attacks occurred, like after Uri, and Balakot strikes after Pulwama — we were mostly targeting terrorist hideouts close to the border,” he said, news agency PTI reported.“But this time, the strikes carried out targeted their supporters and those who provide them backing, wherever they may be — not just near the Line of Control, but deep inside Pakistan, in Muridke and Bahawalpur, from where they receive this support,” he added.Naravane said the operation sent a message that those supporting terrorism could not escape Indian action regardless of where they were located.“As our defence minister Rajnath Singh had said, ‘we will enter their territory and eliminate them’, and there will be no protection for them. So, this was a very significant shift in our modus operandi,” he said.

Asked about reports of increased Pakistani activity in the Sir Creek sector and the reported “Operation Ababil”, Naravane said such activities take place but he did not have complete information about the reported operation.“These kinds of activities keep happening. I don’t have complete information about this right now since I am retired,” he said.“I would like to say that whatever activity takes place, our forces always keep a close watch on it. There is nothing to panic about, and whatever action needs to be taken, appropriate action will be taken at the right time,” he added.Asked whether Pakistan was capable of taking on India, Naravane replied, “In my opinion, no.”

On India-China relations, Naravane said the recent meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi should be viewed against the backdrop of the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries.“This discussion that took place, the 25th round of Special Representative-level talks between Ajit Doval from our side and Foreign Minister Wang Yi from China, is not happening for the first time,” he said.Naravane said the lack of a clearly demarcated boundary, both on maps and on the ground, was the key issue behind periodic disputes between the two countries.“Exactly where the boundary lies has not been clearly demarcated either on maps or on the ground. It is because of this lack of demarcation that occasional disputes arise between India and China,” he said.On theatre commands, Naravane said the debate over reorganising the armed forces along integrated theatre lines had been underway since the Kargil War.“The discussion on theaterisation first began after the Kargil War. It has already been 25 to 26 years since then. Theaterisation is not a new concept; it is a continuous process and an evolution,” he said.“Considering the way the nature of modern warfare is transforming and decision cycles are becoming progressively shorter, it is essential that we move toward theaterisation as expeditiously as possible,” the former Army chief added.

Operation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of India’s military and strategic capabilities, combining military and non-military measures to neutralise terrorist threats and deter Pakistani aggression. The multi-dimensional operation reinforced India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint and securing international support.