'This time, we will ...': Army commander's strong message for Pakistan over nuclear sabre-rattling

Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, GOC-in-C, Western Command

• India has a clear plan to counter Pakistan's nuclear threats
• Lt Gen Katiyar says Pakistan perpetuates a war-like situation
• Army showcased modern equipment after Operation Sindoor success

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Western Command chief Lt General Manoj Kumar Katiyar said on Thursday that India has a clear future plan for Pakistan's nuclear threats and called out Islamabad of perpetuating a "war-like situation" with India.

Addressing an event in Punjab, the Army commander called out Pakistan's hypocricy, saying that it issued nuclear threats to India while also desperately seeking a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

"They said if they go down, they will take half the world with them. During Operation Sindoor, we ignored their nuclear threats. This time, we are better prepared as compared to the past, with a clear future plan," he said.

He accused Pakistan's military leadership of perpetuating a "war-like situation" with India to remain relevant among its people.

The Army commander also criticised the military leadership in the neighbouring country, saying that their generals are driven by selfish needs while India's leadership is focused on the betterment of its people.

"While our leadership is committed to the betterment of the country and its people, their leadership and Army generals are only driven by selfish needs -- retaining power and remaining relevant. For this purpose, they seek to prolong a war-like situation with India," Katiyar said.

He asserted that Pakistan had neither the courage, nor the strength to take on India in open combat, and resorted to proxy warfare to provoke a response.

"Pakistan has repeatedly provoked India through their terrorist outfits, so that when we retaliate, it escalates into a war-like situation and they garner support from their people," he said.

He added that Pakistan had misled its own people by projecting a false narrative of victory. "They spread lies in the media to promote their general to field marshal and deceived their public. This time, we will not give them such an opportunity," he asserted.

Lt General Katiyar stressed that future success would not be limited to destroying bases or posts. "This time, we will not limit our victory to destroying base stations and posts alone; our victory will be on the ground. It will be so decisive that they will be brought to their knees and will have to accept their defeat before the world," he said.

Addressing troops during an operational demonstration organised on a training field, the Army commander said the decision to honour units in a field environment, rather than a conventional hall, reflected the Army's focus on combat readiness.

"Instead of a ceremonial display, we showcased modern equipment and operational capabilities. This is our way of thanking the units that performed exceptionally well during Operation Sindoor," he said, congratulating formations of the Western Command for their "outstanding role" in the operation.

He said the demonstration was not only a celebration of Operation Sindoor but also a reminder that constant vigilance and preparation were essential.

"The danger has not gone away. Our preparation must be greater than before, and the enemy must be given a response stronger than in the past," the Army commander asserted.