‘No talks on nuclear issue between DGMOs of India, Pak during Op Sindoor’: Army Chief General Dwivedi

NEW DELHI: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday said that there were no talks between the Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan about nuclear warfare.

Responding to a query raised during a press conference here, he said that the nuclear rhetoric was given by the political or local public in Pakistan instead of the military.

“As far as nuclear rhetoric is concerned, I would like to say that there was no discussion on nuclear in the DGMO talks, and whatever nuclear rhetoric was given by the politicians or given by the local public in Pakistan. I have no indication that anything of that sort came from the military”, General Dwivedi said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Responding to ANI’s question regarding Operation Sindoor, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, “As far as nuclear rhetoric is concerned, I would like to say that there was no discussion on nuclear in the DGMO talks and whatever nuclear rhetoric was… pic.twitter.com/TOjC3aPEwH

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026

He was responding to a query about whether Pakistan issued any nuclear threats during the 2025 conflict with India. The Army Chief said that India expanded the conventional space to carry out ground operations while dismissing the understanding of directly moving from sub-conventional warfare to the nuclear domain.

“When we talk about our role in this, and when we discuss what was said earlier, it was stated that the space for conventional operations is shrinking, and that we would go directly from sub-conventional to the nuclear domain. But this time, the action we took, especially the kind of firing that took place in Jammu and Kashmir, and the way we addressed it, and how we eliminated approximately 100 of their (Pakistan) personnel – all that action was taken because we expanded the conventional space,” he said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, “Following the Pahalgam terror attack, a clear decision to respond decisively was taken at the highest level. Operation Sindoor was conceptualised and executed with precision. Through 22 minutes of initiation on 7th… pic.twitter.com/YxuPRxIgyw

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026

“In those 88 hours, you saw that the army’s mobilisation to expand the conventional space was such that if Pakistan made any mistake, we were fully prepared to launch ground operations,” he added. General Dwivedi further informed that 100 people out of the 150 people associated with Pakistan were killed in the firing along the Line of Control (LoC) or in the International Border of the Jammu and Kashmir sector.

“I remember, around August 13 or 14, they (Pakistan) mistakenly released a list of about 150 people, which we analysed, and then they withdrew it. Of those, about 100 people, according to our assessment, had been killed in the firing along the Line of Control or in the IB J&K sector. As far as the force structure is concerned, I would only like to tell you that drones were already playing an important role, but after Operation Sindoor, this aspect received a major acceleration. We were already monitoring this organisation,” he said.

#WATCH | Delhi: Responding to ANI’s question regarding Operation Sindoor, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, “I remember, around August 13th or 14th, they (Pakistan) mistakenly released a list of about 150 people, which we analysed, and then they withdrew it. Of… pic.twitter.com/HVoPrrPhlq

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026

The Army Chief said that the drones were already playing an important role, but received major acceleration after Op Sindoor, with the establishment of organisations comprising skilled operators.

“We had validated this in desert terrain, high-altitude terrain. But because the operation was ongoing, we had to commission it in a hurry and as quickly as possible. Keeping this in mind, what action did we take? If we start with the infantry battalion, if you want to use drones actively, for surveillance, for force application, for anti-radiation, for jamming, for loitering munitions, we need highly skilled operators, and for that, we need integration,” General Dwivedi said.

“The first organisation we established was an infantry battalion, within which we created the Ashni Platoon, comprising specialists who must achieve a certain level of qualification to join. Similarly, we have established the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, and as of today, we have raised 13 Bhairav battalions,” he stated.

The Army Chief added that the Bhairav battalions are meant to bridge the gap between lethal platoons and special forces within infantry battalions.

“The role of these Bhairav battalion is to bridge the gap between the lethal platoons and the special forces within the infantry battalions. They are equipped with modern equipment, including UAS equipment and counter-UAS equipment, a large amount of ammunition, and other equipment, to play a crucial role,” he said.

“Moving on to artillery, we have created a Divyastra battery. The Divyastra battery will be part of the artillery regiment and will provide support to a division commander. Again, this involves UAS equipment. For counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) ammunition, we have our powerful regiment, which we are currently raising three units of, and will later raise 12 more. We will then expand this further,” he added.

General Dwivedi said that the situation along the Western Front as well as Jammu and Kashmir since May 10, after India launched Operation Sindoor targeting nine terror outfits deep in Pakistani territory, remains “sensitive but firmly under control”.

#WATCH | Delhi: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, “Since 10th May, the situation along the Western Front and J&K remains sensitive but firmly under control. In 2025, 31 terrorists were eliminated, of which 65% were Pakistan origin, including the three perpetrators… pic.twitter.com/vq7XWMeX4i

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026

While addressing a press conference here, he said that there was a clear indication of positive change in Jammu and Kashmir as the number of terrorist recruitments in 2025 remains almost “non-existent”. General Dwivedi informed that 31 terrorists were eliminated in 2025 and 65 per cent of them were of Pakistani origin.

“Since May 10, the situation along the Western Front and J&K remains sensitive but firmly under control. In 2025, 31 terrorists were eliminated, of which 65 per cent were Pakistan origin, including the three perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack neutralised in Operation Mahadev. Active local terrorists are now in single digits,” the Army chief said.

“Terrorist recruitment is almost non-existent, with only 2 in 2025. Clear indicators of positive change in J&K include robust development activity, the revival of tourism, and the peaceful Sri Amarnath Yatra, which saw more than 4 lakh pilgrims, exceeding the five-year average. The theme of terrorism to tourism is gradually taking shape,” he added.

General Dwivedi also apprised about a security grid comprising the Assam Rifles, the Army, and the Home Ministry, working to insulate the Northeast from the “spillover effects” of events unfolding in Myanmar.

#WATCH | Delhi: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says, “As regards the Northeast, neutral, transparent and decisive action by security forces, along with many proactive government initiatives, has led to a marked improvement in the situation in Manipur during 2025.… pic.twitter.com/MfRzTfe2Xn

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026

“In response to turbulence in Myanmar, a comprehensive multi-agency security grid comprising Assam rifles, the Army, and Home Ministries is working towards insulating the Northeast from spillover effects. With the successful conduct of phase two elections in Myanmar, we should be able to engage each other more effectively now,” he said.

The Army chief said that the situation along the Northern Front remains “stable but needs constant vigil”. “The situation along the Northern Front remains stable, but needs constant vigil. Apex-level interactions, renewed contact, and confidence-building measures are contributing to the gradual normalisation of the situation that has also enabled grazing, hydrotherapy camps, and other activities along the Northern Borders,” he said.

“With our continued strategic orientation on this front, our deployment along the Line of Actual Control remains balanced and robust. Concurrently, capability development and infrastructure enhancement are progressing through a whole-of-government approach,” he added.

General Dwivedi said that the situation in Manipur has witnessed “marked improvement” due to many proactive government initiatives. “As regards the Northeast, neutral, transparent and decisive action by security forces, along with many proactive government initiatives, has led to a marked improvement in the situation in Manipur during 2025. Peaceful conduct of the Durand Cup, resumption of cultural festivals and renewal of suspension of operations, that is, SoO, with Kuki insurgent groups in September 2025, have been key markers of stability,” he said.

He further said that the Army operated across two neighbouring countries and 10 states with regard to the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and rescued over 30,000 people.

“As regards the HADR, the Army operated across two neighbouring countries and 10 states. It rescued over 30,000 people, and during the Punjab floods in Pathankot, some of you would recollect the daring rescue of the CRPF personnel by an Army aviation helicopter from a collapsing building,” General Dwivedi said.

“In the border states, the Army was able to act even before formal requests were received from states. These three affirm our role as the natural first responder during HADR crisis,” he added.

General Upendra Dwivedi also said that Operation Sindoor, carried out in response to the ghastly 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, was the best example of “tri-service synergy under clear-cut political directive”. He said the Armed forces had complete freedom to “act or respond” during Op Sindoor.

“Operation Sindoor was the best example of tri-service synergy under clear-cut political directive and full freedom to act or respond,” General Dwivedi said, adding that the military response operation remains ongoing. He asserted that any future misadventures will be “resolutely responded to”.

“As you may be aware, Operation Sindoor remains ongoing, and a future misadventure will be resolutely responded to. I must acknowledge the proactive role of all stakeholders at the national level, including CAPFs, Intelligences, civic bodies, state administration, and other ministries, whether it’s MHA, Railways, and many more,” General Dwivedi added.

The Army chief said that the Operation Sindoor reset strategic assumptions by striking deep, dismantling terror infrastructure, and puncturing the longstanding nuclear rhetoric.

“Following the Pahalgam terror attack, a clear decision to respond decisively was taken at the highest level. Operation Sindoor was conceptualised and executed with precision. Through 22 minutes of initiation on May 7 and an orchestration that lasted 88 hours up to May 10, the operation reset strategic assumptions by striking deep, dismantling terror infrastructure, and puncturing the longstanding nuclear rhetoric,” General Dwivedi said.

“The Army successfully destroyed seven out of the nine targets and thereafter played a pivotal role in ensuring a calibrated response to Pak actions,” he added. General Dwivedi further pointed out the growing armed conflict across the globe and said that “nations that stay prepared prevail.”

“The past year saw a sharp rise in the number and intensity of armed conflicts worldwide. These global shifts underline a simple reality. Nations that stay prepared prevail. In this backdrop, Operation Sindoor, India’s calibrated and resolute response to cross-border terrorism, demonstrated our readiness, precision, and strategic clarity,” he said.

He assured that the Indian Army remains satisfied with the progress it made in 2025 through various initiatives under “Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation”.

“Through our various initiatives, as part of ‘JAI’, that is, Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation, a clarion call given by the Prime Minister in September 2025, a year of reforms given by the Raksha Mantri in January 2025, and the Indian Army’s own decade of transformation. We can be justifiably very satisfied with the progress made during the year 2025,” General Dwivedi said. (ANI)