CDS General Anil Chauhan Highlights Continued Strategic Military Preparedness amid Operation Sindoor
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has affirmed that Operation Sindoor, India's strategic military initiative following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, is still in progress. Addressing a defence seminar in Delhi on Friday, General Chauhan emphasized the need for the Indian armed forces to maintain a state of readiness around the clock, as the dynamics of modern warfare continue to change.
General Chauhan described this evolving nature of warfare as the "third revolution in military warfare," referring to it as "convergence warfare," which integrates both kinetic and non-kinetic tactics, blending traditional military strategies with modern technological innovations.
He highlighted the necessity for mastery in both shastra (weapons) and shaastra (knowledge), stressing that today's military personnel must be adept across tactical, operational, and strategic levels. "The pace of change is unprecedented, driven by relentless technology," General Chauhan stated, referencing advancements such as cyber warfare, artificial intelligence integration, and real-time battlefield intelligence.
Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7 in response to a severe terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Official reports presented in Parliament indicate that the operation targeted terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, leading to the destruction of nine significant terror camps associated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The precision strikes reportedly neutralized over 100 terrorists.
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the operation was not launched due to international pressure but was a "focused, measured, and non-escalatory" response to terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that Pakistan's attempts to target Indian civilian and military installations prompted a "strong and decisive" counteraction, causing substantial damage to Pakistani assets.
Following four days of intense combat, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations requested a ceasefire on May 10, which was accepted later that day. Nonetheless, due to ongoing security concerns along the border, Operation Sindoor continues as India works to bolster its defence stance and modernize its military capabilities.
Satellite images and defence sources indicate that India may have targeted sensitive military sites in Pakistan, such as the Kirana Hills, known to be linked to Pakistan's clandestine missile and nuclear programs.
As the region remains vigilant, General Chauhan's comments underscore the Indian military's strategic shift toward integrated, technology-focused operations, ensuring readiness against both conventional and asymmetric threats.
