
"Op Sindoor not just military response but expression of India's unity, resolve, self-confidence": COAS Gen Upendra Dwivedi
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday hailed Operation Sindoor as a powerful testament to India's unity, resolve, and self-confidence.
Speaking on the inaugural podcast of 'Ibex Tarana,' a community radio station serving the Garhwal region, General Dwivedi highlighted the operation's precision and effectiveness, showcasing the Indian Army's strength, discipline, and responsibility.
The COAS said, 'Operation Sindoor was not just a military response, it was an expression of India's unity, resolve and self-confidence. The government gave us complete strategic freedom, and the trust shown by the countrymen became our source of inspiration. We destroyed nine terrorist hideouts without any civilian casualties. This shows that the Indian Army is not only powerful but also responsible.'
Highlighting the operation's significance, the COAS emphasised its meticulous planning and execution, calling it a 'worthy answer to terrorism'. He praised the soldiers for their courage, restraint, and discipline, noting that the operation's success reflected the Indian Army's commitment to protecting the nation responsibly.
'I am proud that our soldiers completed this operation with discipline, restraint and immense courage. This victory is not only of the army but of the entire nation. Operation Sindoor is a well-planned, precise and worthy answer to terrorism,' General Dwivedi added.
He further added a poignant cultural note, stating, 'I want to say one more thing: Due to the name of Operation Sindoor, whenever any mother, sister, or daughter applies Sindhoor, she proudly remembers our soldiers. Terrorism will get a befitting reply every time. We are alert, capable and always fully prepared.'
The remarks were made during the launch of 'Ibex Tarana', a community radio station dedicated to the people of Uttarakhand's Garhwal region.
Established by the Indian Army, the station aims to serve as a powerful medium for community empowerment and regional development. Located in Joshimath, 'Ibex Tarana' is expected to amplify local voices, celebrate Garhwal's rich cultural heritage, and facilitate information dissemination for residents and tourists alike.
As per a statement by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI), the initiative was a testament to the Indian Army's enduring commitment to connecting and uplifting remote border communities.
The ADGPI stated, ''Ibex Tarana' will amplify local voices, celebrate Garhwal's rich cultural heritage, facilitate information dissemination for locals and tourists, and promote community participation in matters of regional interest. '
'The station has been dedicated to the people of the Garhwal region, with the aim of serving as a powerful medium for community empowerment and regional development. This unique initiative is a testament to the enduring commitment of the Indian Army towards connecting and uplifting remote border communities in India's first villages,' it further added. (ANI)

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Vikas Pathak is deputy associate editor with The Indian Express and writes on national politics. He has over 17 years of experience, and has worked earlier with The Hindustan Times and The Hindu, among other publications. He has covered the national BJP, some key central ministries and Parliament for years, and has covered the 2009 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls and many state assembly polls. He has interviewed many Union ministers and Chief Ministers. Vikas has taught as a full-time faculty member at Asian College of Journalism, Chennai; Symbiosis International University, Pune; Jio Institute, Navi Mumbai; and as a guest professor at Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. Vikas has authored a book, Contesting Nationalisms: Hinduism, Secularism and Untouchability in Colonial Punjab (Primus, 2018), which has been widely reviewed by top academic journals and leading newspapers. He did his PhD, M Phil and MA from JNU, New Delhi, was Student of the Year (2005-06) at ACJ and gold medalist from University Rajasthan College in Jaipur in graduation. He has been invited to top academic institutions like JNU, St Stephen's College, Delhi, and IIT Delhi as a guest speaker/panellist. ... Read More