Latest news with #OperationSINDOOR


Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Proud to be manning posts with my troops along International Border': BSF's Neha Bhandari, who led unit during Operation Sindoor
She led a unit of the Border Security Force (BSF) holding forward posts in Pargwal in Jammu and Kashmir's Akknoor sector along the International Border during Operation Sindoor. Meet Neha Bhandari, the woman Border Security Force officer and third generation security personnel who Saturday received a Commendation Disc from Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi for 'her exceptional courage and operational proficiency' during Operation Sindoor — India's retaliatory strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Having joined the BSF order nearly three years ago, Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari led a unit guarding border posts some 150 metres away from the International Border in the Akhnoor-Pargwal area. She was among the six women constables to hold gun positions at forward border posts, and was credited with destroying three Pakistani posts following the escalation at the borders earlier this month. 'I feel proud to be manning posts with my troops along the International Border,' Neha, who becomes the first woman officer among the security forces to engage the enemy during combat, said Saturday. 'My grandfather was in the Army. My father was in the CRPF. My mother is also in the CRPF, I feel proud to follow in their footsteps,' she said, adding 'it's an honour to command a post so close to the international border along with my troops'. She is currently posted in the Akhnoor sector. A post on X Saturday, the BSF, Jammu, said: 'On 30 May 2025, COAS General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, felicitated Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari of BSF Jammu with the Commendation Disc former exceptional courage and operational proficiency during Operation SINDOOR. She gallantly commanded a forward deployed BSF company under challenging conditions'. Meanwhile, General Upendra Dwivedi, who arrived in Jammu on a two-day visit Thursday, had attended the high-level security review meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah. 'General Dwivedi reviewed operational preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir's Pargwal sector and visited the Tiger Division where he commended troops for their outstanding performance in Operation Sindoor,' the PRO Defence said on a social media platform X Saturday. 'He stressed the importance of staying agile and vigilant in response to evolving security dynamics.' During his visit, the Army Chief appreciated the BSF's close operational integration with the Army and 'lauded the bravery of Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari and her team for defending the forward posts in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu', the post said, adding that he also acknowledged the valuable contribution of ex-servicemen in supporting the armed forces during Operation Sindoor. –With PTI inputs


India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
J-K: Chinar Corps commander reviews preparedness along LoC in Kupwara post Operation Sindoor
Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 22 (ANI): Chinar Corps General Officer Commanding (GOC) Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava on Thursday reviewed operational preparedness along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, 'post' Operation Sindoor. During his visit to the forward areas in Kupwara, Lt Gen Srivastava interacted with the troops and lauded them for the courage, dedication, and professionalism they demonstrated during the recent ceasefire violation by Pakistan. In a post on X, the Chinar Corps stated, 'Chinar Corps Commander reviewed operational preparedness, post Operation SINDOOR, along the Line of Control in Kupwara. During interaction, he lauded the troops for their exemplary courage, unwavering dedication, utmost professionalism and befitting response during recent ceasefire violations.' 'He underscored the significance of ensuring unrelenting vigilance, technological infusion and steadfast domination along the Line of Control and being prepared for futuristic challenges,' it added. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The operation targeted terror infrastructure across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and inside Pakistan, resulting in the elimination of over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. India damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields at 11 Pakistani airbases during the operation. Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan resorted to cross-border shelling and drone attacks targeting civilian areas, after which India carried out further precision strikes in retaliation to Pakistan's provocation. The military escalation was followed by an understanding between the two countries on May 10 to cease hostilities. Meanwhile, in a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's resolve to combat terrorism and urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its continued support to terror outfits. He stressed the need for global unity in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Earlier this month, Lt Gen Srivastava also visited Rashtriya Rifles Battalions deployed in South Kashmir, where he reviewed security operations and praised the troops for their planning and execution of Operation Keller and Operation Nader. These operations led to the elimination of six hardcore terrorists and the recovery of a large cache of war-like stores. (ANI)


India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kashmir tourism struggles: Nishat Garden deserted a month after Pahalgam attack
2:30 India has launched Operation SINDOOR, sending 7 all-party delegations to 25 countries across the globe—from the US and Russia to Qatar and Brazil.


Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor still on, we remain alert and vigilant: Indian Army deploys advanced surveillance technology
During Operation Sindoor , which started on May 7, the Indian Army successfully destroyed several Pakistposts and terror camps across the Line of Control (LoC). Operation SINDOOR, launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack , which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, showcased a calibrated, tri-services response that embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose. The operation, which involved precise targeting, was supported by advanced surveillance technology deployed to monitor enemy movements in forward areas. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo An officer stationed at the LoC explained the importance of the Army's training and preparation on Tuesday. "We were undergoing round-the-clock training. It is rightly said, 'The more we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war'. When we were selecting targets to be destroyed, it was well thought of, and we identified targets used by the terrorists. The kind of losses suffered by the enemy this time, it will not dare to repeat the same mistake again. All terror launchpads are under surveillance," the officer told ANI. Live Events In addition to the strikes on terrorist infrastructure, Indian Army officials also condemned the Pakistan Army 's violation of the cessation of hostilities. An officer posted at the LoC remarked, "Pakistan unilaterally broke the ceasefire understanding that was there between both the armies. They indiscriminately started firing and engaging the forward posts. They also targeted innocent civilians living in Poonch ." The officer further emphasised the cultural harmony in Poonch, which was targeted by Pakistan's actions. "Poonch has been at a confluence of all the religions... The enemy understood the harmony that existed in Poonch, and it was purely by design that, within 20 minutes, everything unfolded. This shows the utter lack of professionalism in the Pakistan Army. They have got no might to fight the Indian Army, so this is what they can do best," he added. Operation Sindoor continues as the Indian Army remains vigilant along the LoC. "Operation Sindoor is still on and we continue to remain alert and vigilant," the officer said. Operation SINDOOR was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan.


India.com
19-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
What Is Integrated Theatre Commands That Oversaw Operation Sindoor Against Pakistan?
India's Operation SINDOOR, initiated on May 7, 2025, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, has showcased exemplary coordination between the tri-services - Indian Navy, Army and Air Force. 'Operation Sindoor' was extended beyond its primary objective in response to a Pakistani misadventure. While Operation SINDOOR was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, it also resulted in a reality check for the Pakistani Army and called out their nuclear bluff. The four-day-long 'Operation Sindoor' became highly successful, and the Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC) played a crucial role in it. What Is Integrated Theatre Commands? An ITC is a unified command structure that integrates the assets and personnel of the Army, Navy, and Air Force under a single commander. This unified approach is designed for specific geographical areas (theatres) or functional domains. It is aimed at achieving better coordination, faster decision-making, and enhanced combat effectiveness by breaking down the traditional service-specific silos. "To modernise the Armed Forces, efforts are underway to restructure forces through the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs) and Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs). These reforms aim to optimize operational preparedness by unifying the Army, Navy, and Air Force capabilities based on geography and function," said the government. It also said that studies at the Service Headquarters level are actively exploring Theatre Commands for Land Borders, Maritime, and Joint/Integrated Air Defence to enhance synergy and combat effectiveness. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan has emphasized that jointness and integration are essential prerequisites for ITCs, which will clearly separate operational roles from administrative Raise-Train-Sustain (RTS) functions, allowing commanders to focus on security and operations. "ITCs represent the start of wider reforms toward multi-domain operations, integrating space and cyberspace with traditional domains, and advancing digitization and data-centric warfare," said the government. Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in 2020 was a major step towards facilitating the implementation of theatre commands, with the CDS tasked with restructuring military commands to bring about jointness. On 24 December 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a four-star General who heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) and acts as the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-Service matters. Key roles of the CDS include: * Overseeing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Territorial Army. * Promoting jointness in procurement, training, staffing, and command restructuring. * Leading tri-service organizations, including cyber and space commands. * Advising the Nuclear Command Authority and participating in defence planning bodies. * Driving reforms to optimize resources, enhance combat capabilities, and reduce waste. * Implementing multi-year defence acquisition plans and prioritizing inter-Service needs. * The CDS strengthens unified leadership and fosters integration for a more coordinated and modern Indian military.