Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned Pakistan against continuing support for terrorism
May 16, 2026: Indian Army chief Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday issued a sharp warning to Pakistan, saying the neighbouring country must decide whether it wants to remain part of “geography or history” if it continues to support terrorism against India. Speaking during an interactive session at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the Army Chief referred to Pakistan’s alleged role in harbouring terrorists and reiterated India’s firm stand on national security. His remarks came days after India marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack last year.
General Dwivedi said India’s response would remain strong if similar circumstances arise again. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 last year, when Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes on terror launchpads and infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22. The military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours continued for nearly 88 hours before both sides reached a ceasefire understanding on May 10 following communication between the Directors General of Military Operations.
Meanwhile, Pakistan recently expressed hope for renewed dialogue with India. Islamabad welcomed remarks by former Indian Army chief M M Naravane and RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale advocating continued communication between the two countries. Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described such voices as a “positive development,” though tensions between the two nations remain high amid unresolved security concerns and cross-border terrorism issues.