‘Will erase from map: Army Chief Dwivedi’s stern warning to Pakistan over Sir Creek provocation

Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, on October 3, issued a strong warning to Pakistan over its provocation in the Sir Creek area, saying India will not show the same restraint it did during Operation Sindoor 1.0.

Speaking at Anupgarh in Rajasthan, Dwivedi said, “This time we will not maintain the restraint that we did in Operation Sindoor 1.0… this time we will do something that Pakistan will have to think whether it wants to be in geography or not.” He also called on Pakistan to end state-sponsored terrorism.

The Army chief added, “The motive behind my visit here was to see our preparedness if Operation Sindoor 2.0 takes place...I am confident that if we get the chance, we are fully prepared...Whenever we get an opportunity, you would definitely head towards a positive result, and the results would be in our favour.”

Dwivedi’s warning closely followed remarks by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who had cautioned Islamabad against any misadventure in the Sir Creek sector, a disputed 96-km tidal estuary between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan. “If Pakistan dares to act in the Sir Creek sector, the reply will be so strong that it will change both history and geography,” Singh had said, adding that Pakistan’s recent military build-up in the area “reveals its intentions.”

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeted nine terror launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deep inside Pakistani territory in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Over 100 terrorists were reportedly killed in the precision strikes, which avoided civilian casualties and conventional military targets. India later shared evidence of the destroyed infrastructure with the international community to prevent Pakistan from denying the operation’s impact.

General Dwivedi told Indian troops to remain fully combat-ready, hinting at further action if provoked. “Please be fully prepared. God willing, you will get another opportunity very soon. All the best,” he said.

On the same day, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh revealed that Indian forces had shot down four to five Pakistani fighter jets, including F-16s and JF-17s, during the operation. He also said that a high-value asset, likely an airborne early warning and control aircraft, had been destroyed.

The May strikes brought India and Pakistan to the edge of war before a ceasefire was agreed on May 10, after Pakistani commanders requested an end to the offensive.