Operation Sindoor: India Responded with Precision After Initial Setbacks, Says CDS General Anil Chauhan
Etawah, May 31 — Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has confirmed that the Indian Armed Forces suffered aircraft losses during the early stages of Operation Sindoor, a recent air conflict with Pakistan. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, General Chauhan emphasized that after reviewing the causes of the losses, India swiftly altered its tactics and struck back with unprecedented precision, targeting air bases deep inside Pakistan.
India’s Tactical Shift Turned the Tide
General Chauhan acknowledged that initial operations encountered challenges, resulting in some aircraft losses. Without detailing the nature or number of losses, he stressed the importance of adapting quickly in modern warfare.
“What was important is, why did these losses occur, and what we’ll do after that,” Chauhan stated.
He revealed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched large-scale retaliatory air raids on May 7, 8, and 10, successfully penetrating Pakistan’s air defence systems and conducting precision strikes on strategic air bases.
All Types of Aircraft and Ordnance Deployed
The Indian Air Force, according to Chauhan, deployed a diverse fleet of aircraft carrying varied ordnance during the May 10 strikes.
“We flew all types of aircraft with all types of ordnances on the 10th,” he confirmed.
Earlier in the month, Air Marshal A. K.Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, stated that the military considers combat losses a part of engagements and claimed that Indian forces downed some Pakistani jets during the conflict.
Pakistan Acknowledges Base Hits, Denies Jet Losses
Islamabad denied losing any aircraft but admitted that multiple air bases were hit, including locations near nuclear installations, although the forces did not directly target these sensitive sites.
Media reports suggest the Indian strikes achieved pinpoint accuracy, with some impacts measured “to a metre” from the designated targets.
Nuclear Threshold Never Crossed, Says CDS
Both General Chauhan and Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, confirmed in a reassuring statement that they never considered using nuclear weapons during the conflict.
“There’s a lot of space before the nuclear threshold is crossed… nothing like that happened,” Chauhan said. “Rational thinking prevailed on both sides.”
No Visible Support from China During Conflict
Despite Pakistan’s strong ties with China, General Chauhan confirmed there was no operational support from Beijing during the clashes. Surveillance of India’s northern borders during the period revealed no unusual activity.
While he admitted Pakistan may have acquired satellite imagery from commercial or Chinese sources, Chauhan reiterated that such data is readily available from multiple global providers.
India’s Future Strategy: Precision and Resolve
Concluding the interview, General Chauhan emphasized that any future cross-border terror attacks would be met with a “precise and decisive” Indian response.
“This will be the new norm,” he asserted, reflecting India’s evolving military posture.
