NSA Ajit Doval says India can ‘hit hard’ in response to threats, recalls Operation Sindoor

New Delhi: The national security advisor, Ajit Doval, in his first interview since Operation Sindoor, spoke about the decisions behind the operation, saying India was prepared to take risks and “hit hard” when required. His remarks feature in Discovery’s “Declassified: Operation Sindoor”, a two-part docuseries that will look at the objectives and decisions behind India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Doval said the operation had a clearly defined military objective: targeting terror camps linked to the Pahalgam attack. He also said India’s restraint should not be interpreted as an inability or unwillingness to act.

The remarks are part of Doval’s first interview since Operation Sindoor. The two-part documentary brings together accounts from India’s military and national security leadership, personnel involved in the operation, defence experts and journalists to examine how the response was planned and carried out.

Doval also spoke about India’s willingness to take calculated risks when dealing with security threats.

Pahalgam to punishment

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Indian forces carried out precision strikes against multiple terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).

Pakistan subsequently launched military action against India, prompting further Indian counter-offensive operations under Operation Sindoor. The confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours continued for nearly 88 hours before India and Pakistan reached an understanding on the evening of May 10.

The documentary traces the events that followed the Pahalgam attack, including the May 7 strikes and the military action that followed. It examines the strategic deliberations, military planning and key decisions behind India’s response.

Discovery has said the series will feature perspectives from all three branches of the armed forces, national security officials, defence experts and others involved in the operation.

“Declassified: Operation Sindoor” will premiere on Discovery and discovery+ on August 15 at 9pm. The programme also marks the launch of Discovery’s new “Declassified” documentary franchise, which the network says will examine major events through accounts from people involved in them.