Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, 7 May 2026 saluted the valour and sacrifices of India's armed forces on the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the precision military strikes carried out against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) exactly one year ago.

What Rajnath Singh Said

Taking to social media platform X, Singh paid tribute to the forces with a pointed reference to their operational excellence. "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. Their actions during the operation reflected unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services, setting a benchmark for modern military operations," he wrote.

Singh also underscored the operation's broader strategic significance. "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. It also stands testament to India's steady advance towards achieving Atmanirbharta, enhancing capability while reinforcing resilience," he added.

Background: The Pahalgam Attack That Triggered the Operation

Operation Sindoor was launched on 6-7 May 2025 in direct retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025, in which Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 people — 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who reportedly attempted to shield the visitors. According to officials, the attackers singled out victims on the basis of religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify non-Muslims. Several of those killed were newly married; many were shot at close range in front of their families.

The Resistance Front, described by security agencies as an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the massacre.

How the Armed Forces Marked the Anniversary

The Indian Army marked the occasion with a statement on social media: "India's resolute response — calibrated and precise. Committed to safeguarding sovereignty and its people. Justice served. Jai Hind."

The Headquarters of the Indian Defence Staff also took to social media, calling Operation Sindoor a "symbol of national resolve." The Army additionally released a video documenting the events leading up to the operation, detailing the planning behind the precision strikes on terror infrastructure.

PM Modi's Warnings Featured in Army Video

The commemorative video featured two statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that had defined India's post-attack posture. Addressing the nation in the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre, Modi had declared: "India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers." In a separate address underscoring India's diplomatic stance, he stated: "Terror and talk cannot go together. Terror and trade cannot go hand in hand. Water and blood will not flow together."

What Operation Sindoor Achieved

According to officials, the operation was a "focused, measured and non-escalatory" military action targeting high-value terror bases across Pakistan and PoK. It combined military and non-military measures, and was described as successfully neutralising terrorist threats, deterring further aggression, and reinforcing India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism — while maintaining what the government termed "strategic restraint."

This is the first formal anniversary of the operation, and Thursday's commemorations signal that New Delhi intends to institutionalise the event as a marker of national security resolve.