NEW DELHI: Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has indicated that New Delhi may revive Operation Sindoor, asserting that the military campaign had only been “paused” and could resume depending on Pakistan’s actions.
Addressing members of the Indian community in Morocco on Monday, Singh remarked: “Whether there is a part two or part three, we cannot say. It depends on their [Pakistan’s] conduct. If they engage in terrorist activities, they will face a response.” He also stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier clarified the operation was never concluded, only temporarily halted.
Singh went on to claim that Indian forces had struck “militant” hideouts located 100 kilometres inside Pakistani territory following the Pahalgam attack earlier this year. He further alleged that a senior Jaish-e-Mohammed member had admitted that family members of Masood Azhar were among those killed. However, he refrained from providing specific evidence, suggesting such disclosures could spark “unwarranted celebrations.”
The defence minister said a high-level security meeting was convened in New Delhi immediately after the Pahalgam incident, attended by the national security adviser, defence secretary, service chiefs, and the chief of defence staff. According to him, the following day, Modi authorised the armed forces to retaliate at their discretion.
His comments come amid opposition criticism of the Modi government for agreeing to a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor.
Touching on Azad Kashmir, Singh reiterated his earlier assertion that the region would eventually become part of India without war. “PoK will be ours on its own. You must have heard the slogans being raised there,” he said, claiming that he had made similar remarks five years ago while addressing troops in Indian-held Kashmir, predicting that Azad Kashmir would one day declare: “Main bhi Bharat hoon” (I too am India).
Singh is currently on a two-day official visit to Morocco — the first-ever by an Indian defence minister.
