Don't mistake India's tolerance for weakness: NSA Doval on Operation Sindoor

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has said that India's generosity and tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness, asserting that the country can take risks and act decisively, regardless of the consequences. In his first interview since Operation Sindoor, Doval said the military operation was aimed at destroying enemy camps, particularly those responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

"We had decided the objective of the operation as the destruction of the enemy camps, particularly those who had been responsible for the Pahalgam attack," Doval said in the upcoming Discovery docuseries "Declassified: Operation Sindoor".

"The message to the world is very clear — India's generosity or India being tolerant should not be mistaken for its weakness. India can take risks, India can hit hard, irrespective of the consequences," he added.

The two-part docuseries brings together India's military and national security leadership to recount the decisions and events surrounding Operation Sindoor, with first-hand accounts from those who oversaw India's response, Discovery said in a statement. In the series, Doval offers a detailed account of the decision-making and resolve behind the military response.

Operation Sindoor was launched early on May 7 last year in response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Indian forces carried out precision strikes on multiple terror infrastructure locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation marked a significant escalation in India's approach to cross-border terrorism, with military action extending over nearly 88 hours.

Pakistan later launched offensives against India, and all subsequent counter-offensives by India were also conducted under the name Operation Sindoor. The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours lasted until the evening of May 10, when they reached an understanding that brought a halt to hostilities.

The Pahalgam attack, which killed multiple civilians, was one of the deadliest in the region in recent years, leading to widespread outrage and calls for a decisive response. The Indian government has maintained that its operations were targeted at militant infrastructure and aimed at preventing future attacks.

The docuseries is expected to provide a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the internal discussions and strategic considerations that shaped India's response. According to Discovery, the series features interviews with key figures involved in the operation, offering viewers an insight into the country's national security decision-making process.

Doval's remarks highlight India's stated policy of proportional and firm retaliation against cross-border terrorism. His assertion that India's tolerance should not be misconstrued as weakness is likely to resonate in diplomatic and strategic circles, as it underscores the country's readiness to defend its security interests.

"Declassified: Operation Sindoor" will premiere on Saturday, August 15, at 9 p.m. on Discovery and streaming service discovery+. The premiere coincides with India's Independence Day, and the series is expected to draw significant attention from audiences interested in defence and national security affairs.