This is cessation of military operations, not ceasefire: Former Army Chief General Naravane

Former Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, speaking at the Diamond jubilee celebration of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India in Pune, asserted that Operation Sindoor had sent a strong message to Pakistan to not continue its misadventures across the line of control.

Speaking on the military operations under Operation Sindoor, General Naravane pointed to India's strategic strikes on terrorist infrastructure and airfields deep within Pakistan's territory. He asserted that these actions demonstrated to Pakistan the heavy price of continuing on a path of aggression, ultimately leading to discussions between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) of both nations on the possibility of a cessation of hostilities.

Speaking on the Operation Sindoor Gen Naravane (Retd) said that the Pakistresponse to cessation of hostilities would need to be watched.



"Last week have been a tumultuous week starting with operation Sindoor where the Indian Armed forces strikes on the terrorist camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and POK followed by four days of intense aerial and land battles ..finally culminated with announcement of cessation of military operations ..this is cessation of military operations not the ceasefire we will have to wait and watch how things unfold in the days and weeks to come," he said.

In response to the discussion about why India did not opt for an all-out war after Operation Sindoor, General Naravane reaffirmed his belief in diplomacy as the preferred approach. "As a military man, if ordered, I will go to war. But that would not be my first choice," he said.

Naravane further said, "The debate over how much to spend on defence versus education, healthcare, and sanitation is a long-standing one. Defence expenditure is not wasteful but rather an essential "insurance" for the country. A well-prepared military helps avoid conflict and also boosts the local economy. War is expensive, and its aftermath is even more costly. Therefore, such investment is crucial for national security."

The former Army Chief also spoke on the importance of diplomacy in resolving conflicts.


General Naravane highlighted the immense financial and human costs associated with warfare. "War is an expensive business," he said, citing the loss of military equipment, including aircraft worth millions of dollars, as well as the long-term economic burden of rebuilding after conflict.

Beyond the financial toll, General Naravane underscored the profound social impact of war. He spoke about the loss of lives, particularly among civilians, and the displacement of populations during wars.

He added, "Children lose their parents, and sometimes children themselves become victims of indiscriminate shelling," he asserted, stressing that the trauma of war lingers across generations.

Gen Naravane further stated, "War is not your Bollywood movie, wars are not romantic; it is serious business."

He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance that "this is not the era of war," emphasizing that while conflicts may be forced upon nations war should never be cheered.