Next Operation Sindoor Would Be Deadlier, Western Army Commander Lt Gen Katiyar Warns Pakistan

A four‑day tri‑service exercise that simulated futuristic conflict scenarios concluded on Wednesday (15 October) in Jammu & Kashmir under the Northern Command, the Indian Express reported, citing sources.

Conducted from the Udhampur‑based headquarters, the exercise tested commanders, staff and troops against threats across emerging domains.

“During the exercise, troops deployed in forward areas practiced situations like cyber intrusion, spectrum saturation, electronic jamming, spoofing and cognitive attacks,” said Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal, Jammu‑based PRO and spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence.

Northern Army Commander Lt General Pratik Sharma stressed the changing character of modern warfare and the need for technological adaptation.

“In modern warfare the lines are blurring between domains, so we need to leverage niche technology and keep innovating. A whole of nation approach is required to protect our territorial integrity and critical assets and also unleash punitive action on adversaries if the situation demands,” he said.

The exercise brought together the Army, Navy and Air Force alongside Central Armed Police Forces, sister agencies, central government bodies and private‑sector partners to practise integrated responses to multi‑domain threats, the Defence Ministry statement added.

The drills come amid warnings from senior commanders about potential cross‑border actions.

On Tuesday (14 October), Western Army Commander Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, speaking during a visit to Jammu, cautioned that Pakistan might attempt attacks similar to the Pahalgam strike and reiterated India’s deterrent posture.

“It (the response) has to be deadlier. There is no doubt about it. We are fully prepared and I am confident that action this time will be deadlier than the past,” he said, underlining the military’s readiness to respond decisively.

Defence sources said the exercise aimed to sharpen interoperability and ready forces for the complex technological and cognitive challenges of future conflicts.

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