Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday warned that any future terrorist act originating from Pakistan would invite an even stronger response, asserting that India’s approach to tackling terrorism had shifted from diplomatic condemnation to proactive military action.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Balakot airstrikes and surgical strikes, Singh said the operations marked a decisive change in India’s strategy, with a focus on eliminating terrorism at its source.
Speaking at a defence conclave in Delhi, Singh said the “shelf life” of most terrorists had fallen to less than a year since 2014, with security forces neutralising them within a year of their taking up arms against India, according to a Defence Ministry statement.
He also highlighted the threat posed by lone-wolf attackers, citing a recent incident in which a co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash a passenger aircraft but was thwarted by Captain Smit Machchhar, who risked his life to prevent a potential terror attack.
The incident demonstrated how the alertness and courage of an individual could foil a larger plot, Singh said, stressing that counterterrorism efforts required both capable security agencies and the active participation of vigilant citizens.
Highlighting the evolving nature of security threats, the minister identified what he called the “5D security threat”, disinformation, destabilisation, disruption, deception and destruction.
He said terrorism was expanding beyond organised groups, with lone-wolf attacks and “white-collar terrorism” making it harder for security agencies to identify radicalised individuals and prevent attacks.
Singh called for a shift from conventional military capabilities towards “smart power”, combining hard and soft power to address emerging challenges.
Modern defence strategies, he said, must integrate precision-guided weapons and loitering munitions with cost-effective weaponry, human intelligence with artificial intelligence, and advanced systems with agile, adaptable technologies.
Reiterating India’s commitment to peace, Singh said the country remained prepared to confront any security challenge.
“India hopes for peace, but it remains prepared for war,” he said, adding that the country’s preference for dialogue, coexistence and peaceful dispute resolution should not be mistaken for weakness.
Singh also cited Operation Sindoor as evidence of India’s growing technological capabilities and the armed forces’ confidence in indigenous defence systems, including the Akash missile system and BrahMos.
(With inputs from PTI)