"Abhi picture baki hai": Former Army Chief Naravane hints ongoing action after Operation Sindoor

India’s recent cross-border military action, dubbed Operation Sindoor, has drawn significant attention after former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane made a cryptic post on social media. The operation, launched on May 7, targeted nine high-value terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), believed to be linked to terror groups responsible for attacks on India. These strikes were in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national.

According to official sources, the Indian Air Force conducted precision airstrikes on key terror hubs associated with banned groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen. The targeted locations included training camps, launch pads, and radicalization centres, which have long been under United Nations sanctions. The Defence Ministry stated that the operation was "precise and restrained," with no Pakistani military facilities being hit. The aim was to neutralize terror infrastructure while avoiding unnecessary escalation.

The airstrikes resulted in the reported neutralization of over 80 terrorists across the targeted sites. Among the most significant strikes were on Bahawalpur, a stronghold of JeM, and Muridke, the ideological centre of LeT. The Defence Ministry confirmed that these strikes were part of India's broader strategy to hold those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre accountable, without engaging in a full-scale conflict. "Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature," the Ministry's statement added.

In the aftermath of the operation, Pakistan condemned the airstrikes, calling them an "act of war." Pakistani officials claimed that eight civilians, including a child, were killed in the attacks, which India has not independently verified. India, however, emphasized that the operation was aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure, and the government maintained that the casualties were primarily militants. The Indian Army also released a short video on social media with the message, "Justice is served."

Former Army Chief Naravane’s social media post, “Abhi picture baki hai” (The action is still on), further fueled speculation about possible future strikes. The post suggests that India’s response could continue if Pakistan escalates the situation by targeting Indian sites. The operation marks a significant moment in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism, signaling a potentially more aggressive and sustained response to attacks emanating from Pakistan.