Political Will Was Game-Changer

General Ved Prakash Malik was the Army Chief from 1997 to 2000.

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He was commissioned into the 3rd Sikh Light Infantry in 1959. He is known for overseeing the planning and execution of Operation Vijay during the Kargil War. The officer received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his military service.

In an exclusive interaction with Sushil Kumar of The Statesman, he talked about Operation Sindoor, Pakistan celebrating a 'fake' win, US President Donald Trump wanting to take credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Q. How do you look at India's military action launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack?

A. We have adopted a more active approach against terrorism from 2016 onwards, after the Uri attack following which a surgical strike was done. It had the sanction of the political authority. Earlier, even if we were to cross the Line of Control, there would be no political sanction, but 2016 was the first time that the Indian armed forces had sanction from the political authority, and then in 2019, when the Balakot strike happened, it was the second time that the armed forces were granted permission to strike back in Pakistan territory.

I would say political sanction is the main thing that made Operation Sindoor entirely different. This time, not only were diplomatic and economic sanctions imposed, but the kinetic action was also undertaken on the intervening night of May 6 and 7.