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In an exclusive interview with Nitin Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief of BharatShakti, Lt Gen DS Hooda (Retd), former Northern Army Commander and architect of the 2016 surgical strikes, described Operation Sindoor as a defining moment in India’s evolving military posture against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. According to Hooda, the operation marked a fundamental shift not just in capabilities but, more importantly, in strategic intent.
“Unlike the operations in 2016 and 2019 that targeted peripheral terror launchpads, Operation Sindoor demonstrated that India is now willing to strike at the very heart of terrorist leadership—and in areas deep inside Pakistan’s Punjab, considered the political and military core of the country,” Hooda said. He underscored that India’s message was clear: this was not a symbolic retaliation but a deliberate action designed to impose real costs on Pakistan’s terror infrastructure.
He also pointed out that alongside kinetic actions—such as the precision strikes with standoff missiles and loitering munitions—the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty was a critical non-military signal of resolve. “This was a bold move. Pakistan is economically dependent on these waters. The temporary hold was a clear message that India is willing to use all instruments of national power,” he noted.
Importantly, Hooda emphasized that India calibrated its actions to avoid uncontrolled escalation. “We were clear—we were targeting terrorist infrastructure, not civilians or economic assets. The political objective was limited and well-defined. Once it was achieved, the ceasefire made sense,” he said. He also highlighted India’s effective countermeasures against Pakistani drones and missile strikes, noting the limited damage inflicted on Indian assets.
Pakistan should be treated as a subset of the China challenge
However, Hooda warned against complacency. “We must remain focused on the bigger strategic challenge—China,” he asserted. “While Pakistan remains hostile, the real long-term threat is from China—militarily, economically, and geopolitically.” He described the Pakistan-China nexus as a growing concern, especially with Pakistan’s increasing reliance on Chinese military hardware and access to its satellite systems.
China poses the more serious, long-term strategic challenge
Hooda advised that India’s military modernization must prioritize emerging domains such as cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, drones, and electronic warfare. “China is already operating in the paradigm of system warfare—targeting command-and-control, networks, and sensors. We must prepare to match or counter these capabilities,” he stressed.
In conclusion, Lt Gen Hooda stated that while Pakistan continues to pose tactical threats, it must be viewed as a subset of the larger China challenge. “Our strategic focus should remain on China. Only by building capabilities to deter and counter China can we ensure that Pakistan, too, remains contained.”
Team BharatShakti
