"Warfare No Longer Limited To Cross-Border Firing": Rajnath Singh

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that modern warfare has evolved beyond traditional cross-border firing to include cyberattacks, drone swarms, and information warfare. He urged military personnel to maintain vigilance against these asymmetric threats and to foster strong ties with local civilians.
Why it matters
The statement reflects a strategic shift in national security priorities, acknowledging that non-kinetic threats are now as critical as conventional military capabilities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the security landscape had become increasingly complex, with warfare extending beyond conventional cross-border firing to include cyberattacks, drone swarms, proxy wars and information operations.Addressing Indian Air Force personnel at Bagdogra airfield on the eve of Diwali, Singh said adversaries were increasingly seeking to exploit vulnerabilities without engaging in direct conflict."Warfare is no longer limited merely to cross-border firing. It has expanded greatly to encompass asymmetric warfare, proxy wars, cyberattacks, drone swarms, information operations, and narrative management," he said.The defence minister said, "Today, the enemy often avoids direct conflict and instead tries to exploit our vulnerabilities."Through social media, the enemy also attempts to sow seeds of doubt among local populations and soldiers by spreading misleading information, Singh said.Emphasising the changing responsibilities of armed forces personnel, he said soldiers must remain vigilant not only in their operational domains but also against emerging cyber and information…
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