Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that most terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmirover the past year were Pakistani nationals.
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Speaking at the Indian Army’s annual press conference, Gen Dwivedi said 31 terrorists were eliminated in 2025. Of these, 65 per cent were of Pakistani origin. The figure includes the three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.
“In 2025, 31 terrorists were eliminated, of which 65 per cent were of Pakistani origin, including the three perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack neutralised in Operation Mahadev. Active local terrorists are now in single digits.”
Local Recruitment Drops, Borders Remain Under Watch
The Army chief said terror recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir is now “almost non-existent,” with only two cases reported in 2025. He added that the situation along the northern and northwestern borders remains stable, but requires constant vigilance.
The situation along the Northern Front “remains stable, but needs constant vigil”.
Gen Dwivedi said regular military engagement, confidence-building measures and top-level talks have helped normalise conditions along the Line of Actual Control. Civilian activities like grazing and medical camps have resumed in several areas. He added that troop deployment remains balanced and strong, while infrastructure work continues across the region.
Operation Sindoor and Signs of Normalcy in J&K
Recalling India’s response to the Pahalgam attack, the Army chief said a firm decision was taken at the highest level, leading to Operation Sindoor.
“Operation Sindoor was conceptualised and executed with precision. Through 22 minutes of initiation on May 7 and an orchestration that lasted 88 hours up to May 10, the operation reset strategic assumptions by striking deep, dismantling terror infrastructure, and puncturing the longstanding nuclear rhetoric.”
He said the Army destroyed seven of the nine identified targets and played a key role in managing a calibrated response to Pakistani actions. The operation, he added, remains ongoing, and any future provocation will be answered firmly.
Gen Dwivedi pointed to clear signs of improvement in Jammu and Kashmir. He cited increased development work, the return of tourists, and the peaceful conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra, which saw more than four lakh pilgrims this year.
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“The theme of terrorism to tourism is gradually taking shape,” he said.
The Army chief also described the operation as a strong example of coordination between the three services, carried out under clear political direction, and acknowledged the role of all stakeholders involved. |
