Rajnath Singh Pays Tribute to Armed Forces on First Anniversary of Operation Sindoor

New Delhi, May 2026 : India on Thursday marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh leading tributes to the armed forces for their courage, precision and unwavering commitment in carrying out the decisive military action against terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Taking to social media platform X, Rajnath Singh praised the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers, describing Operation Sindoor as a shining example of India’s military preparedness and strategic capability.

“On the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, we salute the valour and sacrifices of our armed forces, whose courage and dedication continue to safeguard the nation,” Singh wrote.

He said the operation demonstrated unmatched coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force, highlighting the growing strength of India’s joint military operations.

“Their actions during the operation reflected unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services, setting a benchmark for modern military operations,” the Defence Minister stated.

Singh further described Operation Sindoor as a symbol of India’s national resolve and readiness to act firmly whenever the country’s sovereignty and security are threatened.

“Operation Sindoor stands as a powerful symbol of national resolve and preparedness, showing that our armed forces are always ready to act decisively when it matters most,” he added.

The Defence Minister also linked the success of the operation to India’s growing push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

“It also stands testament to India’s steady advance towards achieving Atmanirbharta, enhancing capability while reinforcing resilience,” Singh noted.

Operation Sindoor was launched by Indian armed forces on the night of May 6-7, 2025, in response to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, in which 26 innocent civilians were killed. The victims included 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who reportedly tried to protect the tourists during the attack.

According to official accounts, the terrorists, believed to be backed by Pakistan-based terror groups, reportedly targeted people after asking about their religion and forcing some victims to recite the Islamic ‘kalima’ to identify non-Muslims.

The Resistance Front, considered an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, had claimed responsibility for the massacre.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had issued a strong warning, vowing that India would identify and punish every terrorist and their backers.

“India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers,” Modi had declared while addressing the nation after the Pahalgam killings.

The Indian Army on Thursday also paid tribute to the operation and shared a message honouring the armed forces’ response.

“India’s resolute response — calibrated and precise. Committed to safeguarding sovereignty and its people. Justice served. Jai Hind,” the Army said in a statement posted on social media.

The Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff also described Operation Sindoor as a “symbol of national resolve” and praised the professionalism displayed during the mission.

To mark the anniversary, the Army released a video documenting the planning and execution of the operation. The footage highlighted how Indian forces carried out focused and carefully coordinated strikes on high-value terror targets across PoK and Pakistan while maintaining strategic restraint.

Another strong statement from Prime Minister Modi featured in the video reinforced India’s diplomatic and security stance against terrorism.

“Terror and talk cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go hand in hand. Water and blood will not flow together,” the Prime Minister had said.

Officials had described Operation Sindoor as a focused, measured and non-escalatory response aimed at neutralising terrorist infrastructure without widening the conflict. The operation was seen as a major demonstration of India’s military readiness and its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.

The anniversary celebrations and tributes reflected the nation’s continued recognition of the sacrifices made by the armed forces and India’s firm resolve to combat terrorism in all forms.