"Zameen, aasmaan, paataal...we will go after them": NSA Ajit Doval recalls PM Modi's Operation Sindoor message
New Delhi, August 14
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clear message was decisively to go after those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack whether "they are on the earth or in hell", National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has said in a docuseries on Operation Sindoor.
The two-part docuseries will be telecast by Discovery Channel and premiere tomorrow on the country's 80th Independence Day.
The trailer of the docuseries 'Declassified: Operation Sindoor', has brief remarks from Doval, former Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi, former Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, who was Director General Military Operations during Operation Sindoor, and former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chouhan.
"The Prime Minister said, 'Zameen mein ho, aasmaan mein ho, paataal mein ho, jahan bhi, we will go after them'," Doval recalled in his first televised remarks concerning Operation Sindoor.
Gen Upendra Dwivedi (retd) said Pakistan was told clearly that talks and terror cannot go together.
Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed.
The attack was carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists who targeted civilians after asking about their religion. The attack was seen as an attempt to trigger communal tensions in India.
India targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK under Operation Sindoor to punish the perpetrators and planners of terrorism and destroy terror camps and training facilities.
Following escalation by Pakistan, India pounded its airbases forcing it to seek a ceasefire.
All three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack were killed in 'Operation Mahadev' by the Army, CRPF, and J-K Police.
Operation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of India's military and strategic power, executed through a combination of military and non-military means. The multi-dimensional operation effectively neutralized terrorist threats, deterred Pakistani aggression, and firmly enforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. The operation maintained strategic restraint while gaining international support.
India's non-kinetic efforts also played a crucial role in shaping the strategic environment and ensuring public and international support. Through strategic policymaking, information dominance, and psychological operations, India diplomatically and economically isolated Pakistan while strengthening domestic preparedness and global backing.
A decisive move under Operation Sindoor was India's termination of the Indus Waters Treaty. The government said that Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. This has far-reaching consequences for Pakistan, a country heavily dependent on the Indus river system for 80% of its 16 million hectares of agricultural land and 93% of its total water use. This system supports 237 million people and contributes one-fourth of Pakistan's GDP through crops like wheat, rice, and cotton.
PM Modi made it clear that Op Sindoor is not just a name but is a reflection of the feelings of millions of people in the country and an unbroken pledge of justice.
"We remain committed to taking strong steps to safeguard India and its people. On the battlefield, we have always defeated Pakistan, and this time. Operation Sindoor has added a new dimension," he had said.
By targeting terror networks and their state sponsors with unprecedented clarity, India sent an unambiguous message: terrorism will be met with a swift and proportionate response, irrespective of borders or diplomatic complexities.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows global security issues, this seems like a significant shift in India's strategic doctrine. The termination of the Indus Waters Treaty is particularly bold - it's using every leverage point available. Curious to see how this plays out diplomatically in the long run.
The way Doval ji recalled PM's message gives me goosebumps. "Zameen, aasmaan, paataal" - this is the kind of resolve we needed. 26 innocent people lost their lives in Pahalgam, and justice has been served. But I do wonder about the long-term implications of the water treaty termination. Is it sustainable?
Impressive military strategy. The combination of kinetic strikes and diplomatic isolation of Pakistan shows mature statecraft. India has clearly learned from past operations. The docuseries should be interesting - will definitely watch it to understand the full picture.
Ye sunke dil khush ho gaya! Kya baat hai PM Modi ki! But honestly, I hope this isn't just for the cameras. We need consistent policy, not just one-off operations. Still, proud of our forces for executing this so precisely. Operation Mahadev also deserves full credit for killing those terrorists. 💪
As an observer, the Indus Waters Treaty termination is a major geopolitical move. Pakistan's economy is heavily dependent on that water. This is coercive diplomacy at its peak. The question is whether this creates lasting peace or just escalates things further. Time will tell.
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