'On two feet or on somebody's back, every soldier had to return'
'This is what we train for: That one chance to deliver a blow so lethal that the enemy will constantly think about it when planning any misadventure.'
The revelation may have come late in the century but the Congress disclosed on Thursday, May 29, 2025, that the Indian Army conducted six surgical strikes against Pakistan during UPA-2, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government's second term in power.
Congress MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi stoked controversy by demanding proof of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan territory in the past under the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre.
The Uttar Pradesh government, under Yogi Adityanath, is preparing a comprehensive plan to identify and act against infiltrators to strengthen internal security and ensure government schemes reach eligible beneficiaries.
A day after Singh stirred up the hornet's nest and the Congress distanced itself from the leader, party MP in charge of communication, Ramesh told the media while walking for the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir that all queries related to the surgical strike uproar have been answered by his party and the media needs to aim its questions at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Sushma Swaraj, who was a minister in the government, had said that the air strike was done at a place where there was no possibility of anyone getting killed. Amit Shah claims that more than 300 terrorists were killed in the air strike. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claims that more than 400 terrorists were killed in the air strike," Alvi pointed out.
'Military operations demand the highest degree of secrecy.' 'Those who are demanding transparency in military operations must understand what military operations are all about.'
Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Vishwa Ranjan said on Thursday that security agencies are considering initiating surgical strikes against Maoists. "There is no single-dimensional operation. The operations will be more intense against the Maoists. There will be surgical strikes based on intelligence inputs," Ranjan said while speaking to a private news channel. "There may be more complex sort of operations and more dismantling of the camps," he added.
A day after the Congress claimed that six surgical strikes were carried out by the Manmohan Singh-led government, he said the Congress, which earlier used to mock the surgical strikes, is now saying 'me too, me too'.
The reply came in response to an RTI filed by Jammu-based activist Rohit Choudhary about the number of surgical strikes on Pakistan between 2004 and 2014, and after September 2014. He had also sought to know how many of those were successful.
The Shiv Sena on Friday targeted the Centre by questioning the "efficacy" of the 2016 surgical strike and said the perception that it would demoralise Pakistani terrorists remained an "illusion" as Indian soldiers continue to get killed in terror attacks in Kashmir. Accusing the Modi government of boasting about how Pakistan was straightened out after the surgical strike, the Sena sought to know whether it has really happened. It also observed that troubled borders were not good for the country's well-being.
Against the backdrop of much-debated option of surgical strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan post-Mumbai terror attack, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor has said that such strikes are "very much feasible" militarily.
Colleges and universities across India have been asked to observe September 29 as Surgical Strike Day. Tell us what your college is doing to remember this memorable day in India's military history. Please share your stories and pictures with us.
The Indian Army on early Thursday morning conducted surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control, confirmed Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Director General of Military Operations. Here is what we know about the surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army along the Line of Control as per what army sources have revealed.
"Crores of rupees were approved for temples and he (Amit Shah) says the steering is in my hand. If the steering is in my hand, then why do you feel the pain?," he said.
'A brief statement was made by the Army on the sensitive issue. But no questions were taken,' a member said.
The RTI application with the defence ministry also sought the definition of the term "surgical strikes" in the records of Indian Army.
The strategic success of the surgical strikes has not matched their brilliant tactical achievement, says Shekhar Gupta.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said everyone should have faith in the government and allow the force to take its own call.
The UPA government carried out six surgical strikes -- Bhattal sector in Poonch (June 19, 2008); Sharda sector, across Neelam River Valley, in Kel (August 30-September 1, 2011); Sawan Patra checkpost (January 6, 2013); Nazapir sector (July 27-28, 2013); Neelam Valley (August 6, 2013); and one on December 23, 2013, Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla said.
The National Green Tribunal's website on Monday came under cyber attack with a grouping hacking it and posting profanities, claiming it was an act of "revenge" against Indian army's surgical strikes across the Line of Control.
'India showcased its ability to launch multiple Special Forces strikes simultaneously across a well defended front.' 'Through these strikes Pakistan was given a glimpse of the full range of India's military capabilities,' says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).
Nirupam said it is up to the government to prove the surgical strikes did take place.
The Congress president alleged that the surgical strike was made public as the BJP was fighting elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Major Rohit Suri and Naib Subedar Vijay Kumar were honoured at a military investiture ceremony.
Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf today said surgical strikes cannot be carried out against Pakistan and if such an eventuality arises the country is prepared to respond with "full force."
'The Pakistani denial was the greatest triumph of this strategy.' 'From now onwards Pakistan will always have to factor in the Indian reaction when it decides to back non-State actors like LeT,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
Ahir said there were 110 terror attacks in J&K in 3 months before surgical strikes while there were 87 such attacks in 3 months after the strikes.
For the very first time, India's Raksha Mantri, Manohar Parrikar, a senior member of Narendra Modi's Cabinet, has openly said that the people who took the political decisions of conducting the September 29 surgical strikes should reap the profits of that decision.
President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday awarded Shaurya Chakras to the officers who took part in the daring surgical strike across the Line of Control last year.
Congress sources said party president Rahul Gandhi met Lt Gen Hooda and discussed the modalities of the panel.
He also said that many ex-servicemen have shown willingness to fight on the border if required.
Describing the cross-LoC operation as "100 per cent perfect surgical strike", he said the borders of the country are secure under the Narendra Modi government.
The Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control on September 29 two years ago.
He said Congress leaders had raised questions about the surgical strikes soon after the Indian Air Force said it hit terror camps in Balakot in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack.
Hafiz Saeed, chief of terrorist outfit Jammat-ud-Dawah and mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack, on Friday warned India of a "befitting response" for its military operation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will now know what "surgical strikes" really mean.
The strikes by India have instilled confidence among soldiers and the common man, says martyred soldier Hemraj's widow.
Gen Singh said the operations were basically focused to ensure that the terrorists do not succeed in their design of infiltration and carrying out destruction and endangering the lives of citizens of our country.
India on Thursday ruled out the possibility of carrying out any surgical strike on terror camps inside Pakistan, but asserted that adequate measures will be taken to ensure that its interests are protected. "No, no," Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju.He told reporters, "We will take adequate measures to see to it that our nation is safe, our citizens are safe, and our interests are safeguarded."
