‘Sabka Malik Ek’: Watch Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi reveal reason why India didn’t strike Pakistan during Namaz in Op Sindoor
Speaking at the Ran Samvad forum in Bengaluru, the Army Chief said commanders had operational flexibility to attack at any time, but chose to monitor cross-border activities and cease fire while people in the areas were praying.
Intentional restriction in targeting
General Dwivedi said the decision to refrain from striking during prayer times was guided by a broader ethical framework. He stated that the operations were timed to ensure that they were seen as actions against terrorist infrastructure rather than against religious practices.
Quoting “Sabka Malik Ek Hai”, he said the approach aims to maintain the moral high ground while carrying out precision strikes on designated targets.
Operation Sindoor and its purpose
Operation Sindoor was launched in May 2025 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
The operation involved coordinated action by the Army, Navy, and Air Force reflecting integrated multi-domain warfare. Indian forces have targeted and destroyed numerous terror launch pads and training facilities along the border and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
General Dwivedi described the operation as a defining case study combining kinetic capabilities, including naval assets led by INS Vikrant, with cyber and electronic warfare measures to disrupt enemy systems.Also Read: Looking for Jana Nayagan movie link online? Here’s why clicking any link can leave you with regrets for life
The role of information warfare
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said non-kinetic operations constitute a key component of the mission, with about 15 percent of efforts focused on countering disinformation.
He said India faced hybrid threats following the attacks, including swarm drone activity and online propaganda aimed at triggering unrest.
In response, the Army established a special information warfare organization and psychological defense division. General Dwivedi said future conflicts will increasingly occur in the gray zone, where adversaries operate below the threshold of conventional warfare.
Ceasefire after escalation of tension
The tension following Operation Sindoor lasted for several days until both sides moved towards de-escalation.
General Dwivedi said that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart as casualties increased, resulting in a mutual agreement to cease hostilities on land, air and sea. The ceasefire came into force on May 10, 2025.
He said the operation highlighted that although advanced technology is vital, human judgment and ethical decision-making remain at the core of India’s military doctrine.
