New Delhi: In a rare and revealing address, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Saturday detailed the daring and strategically successful Indian military operations under Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, highlighting the armed forces’ capability to penetrate 300 kilometres into Pakistani territory with precision airstrikes.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Chauhan debunked speculations around a nuclear standoff with Pakistan during the confrontation. “I personally feel that there is a lot of space between the conduct of conventional operations and the nuclear threshold,” said the General, firmly asserting that the situation never escalated to nuclear brinkmanship.
Open Communication and Tactical Excellence
CDS Chauhan emphasized that communication lines between India and Pakistan remained open throughout the standoff. “Both countries have several options below the nuclear threshold to resolve conflicts. That’s where our focus remained,” he said.
Responding to claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who once stated he prevented a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, Gen Chauhan termed it “far-fetched”, reiterating that nuclear escalation was never a real possibility.
Countering False Claims and Learning from Setbacks
General Chauhan also addressed Pakistan’s claim of downing six Indian jets, calling it “absolutely incorrect.” He confirmed that while the Indian Air Force (IAF) did lose some aircraft in the early phase, India quickly assessed and corrected tactical errors, launching retaliatory strikes with renewed strength.
“What’s important is not how many jets were downed, but what we learned and how we adapted. We fixed our tactics and returned on May 7, 8, and 10, with large formations that penetrated deep into Pakistani airspace and targeted airfields and critical infrastructure with accuracy and impunity,” he explained.
India’s Technological and Strategic Edge
Gen Chauhan underlined the synergy between indigenous weapons and imported platforms, showcasing India’s growing defence capability. “We penetrated their air defences up to 300 km, hitting strategic targets with precision. This not only demonstrates the technological strength of our forces but also the functionality and reliability of our equipment,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
Ceasefire Holding, Red Lines Drawn
On the current status of the ceasefire, Chauhan confirmed that it is being respected for now but warned that its future depends entirely on Pakistan’s conduct. “We’ve laid clear red lines. As long as they are respected, peace can continue,” he stated firmly.
