Mumbai: A senior Army officer has cautioned that Pakistan could attempt to replicate the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians had lost their lives.
Flagging the concern, Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Command, delivered a stern warning to Pakistan, saying that any fresh attempt at cross-border mischief would invite a “strong response” from India.
Speaking on ‘Operation Sindoor’, Lt Gen Katiyar said Pakistan was given a ‘befitting reply’ after terrorists dared to shoot down innocent men, many of them in front of their families, at the picturesque Baisaran valley.
“Though ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistan was given a befitting reply… but Pakistan can never mend its ways. They could launch another attack like the one in Pahalgam, we have our eyes on every one of its moves,” Lt Gen Katiyar said.
He opined that Pakistan should not carry out any more misadventure, but it cannot be ruled out, adding that ‘Operation Sindoor’ had not yet concluded.
He reaffirmed India’s readiness, adding, “If Pakistan indulges in such mischief again, it will face a strong response.”
Lt Gen Katiyar further said that Pakistan wants to continue the confrontation with India for its own vested interests.
India’s Amed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of May 7, and in less than half an hour, dismantled nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with precise strikes.
Earlier this month, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had said that at least a dozen Pakistani military aircraft, including F-16 jets, were destroyed or damaged in Indian strikes during ‘Operation Sindoor’.
He also countered Pakistan’s claim of India’s losses as “fanciful stories”.
