Pahalgam attack was turning point how India will respond to terror threats: Army Chief

Drass : Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday said the terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed lives of 26 civilians, marked a turning point in how India would respond to cross-border threats.

Speaking at a ceremony on Kargil Vijay Diwas in Drass, the Army Chief, per news agency said the May 6–7 operation was aimed at neutralising high-value targets in Pakistan and areas under its control in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the operation avoided civilian harm and was intended to send a clear message that the support system behind cross-border attacks would face direct consequences.

General Dwivedi also said that following this strike, the Indian Army remained prepared between May 7 and 9 to respond to any further action from across the border.

According to him, the armed forces acted within a wider government strategy that involved multiple security agencies working together.

As part of long-term changes within the military, he announced the formation of integrated combat units called ‘Rudra’ brigades. These units, he said, will combine several branches of the Army, including foot soldiers, armoured units, artillery, special teams, and drone-based platforms, all supported by logistics designed for joint deployment.

He said that two such brigades are already active and that this marks a shift from the earlier system, where brigades were grouped by specific roles. The aim, he added, is to improve coordination and readiness in future scenarios.

The Army Chief said newly raised light commando units named ‘Bhairav’ battalions have been developed to carry out rapid strikes along the frontier. In addition, drone sections have been included in each infantry unit, while artillery formations are being strengthened with remote systems designed to carry out strikes from a distance.

He said the air defence component of the Army is being updated with locally built systems to manage aerial threats. According to him, all changes are being made with cooperation from other branches of the armed forces and government departments—(KNO)