India responded decisively after Pahalgam attack: Murmu

New Delhi, Oct 7: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the Indian Armed Forces’ coordinated strength and strategic planning by dismantling terrorist infrastructure across the LoC, which she termed as India’s consistent balance between peace and war preparedness.
The President was addressing the faculty and course members of the 65th National Defence College Course at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Referring to the cross-border operation launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, Murmu said that a tri-service response was executed in a calibrated manner.
“This operation resulted in the dismantling of terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and further beyond, and showed the impact of working together across military branches,” she said, adding that this level of coordination was made possible due to structural changes in defence administration.
The President referred to the creation of the Department of Military Affairs and the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff as its Secretary as part of the process. The ongoing formation of Integrated Theatre Commands and Integrated Battle Groups, she said, is part of a restructuring plan.
“India is in the process of building an armed force capable of integrated operations across domains,” Murmu said, adding that the current security context and geopolitical environment require responses that are dynamic and based on situational understanding.
The aim, she said, is to make the Armed Forces ready for challenges across traditional and emerging areas.
Speaking on the broader idea of security, Murmu said national interests shape the security framework of any country, but India’s national interests are guided by values that have remained consistent.
“India has always viewed humanity as one collective group, referring to the phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” she said. “Peace and brotherhood are key principles, but being ready for confrontation when required is part of India’s approach.”
Referring to the Mahabharata, President Murmu said the epic shows repeated efforts to avoid war. “But once conflict became unavoidable, Krishna told Arjuna to remove doubt and fight with resolve,” she said. “This approach reflects how peace and preparedness can exist together. (KNO)