Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has reaffirmed that Operation Sindoor, India’s strategic military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, remains ongoing. Speaking at a defence seminar in Delhi on Friday, Gen Chauhan stressed that India’s armed forces must maintain high readiness levels “24×7, 365 days,” as the nature of modern warfare continues to evolve.
“We are standing at the cusp of what I call the third revolution in military warfare,” said the CDS, describing the new form of conflict as “convergence warfare”—a fusion of kinetic and non-kinetic tactics, combining traditional battlefield methods with emerging technological capabilities.
He underscored the importance of mastering both shastra (weapons) and shaastra (knowledge), highlighting that today’s warriors must operate seamlessly across tactical, operational, and strategic domains. “There is an unprecedented pace of change driven by relentless technology,” Gen Chauhan added, pointing to developments like cyber warfare, AI integration, and real-time battlefield intelligence.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, following a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. According to government statements in Parliament, the operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the destruction of nine major terror camps linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Over 100 terrorists were neutralised in the precision strikes.
The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that the operation was not initiated under international pressure but was a “focussed, measured, and non-escalatory” response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told the Rajya Sabha that Pakistan’s attempt to strike Indian civilian and military targets prompted a “strong and decisive” counter-response, inflicting significant damage on Pakistani assets.
After four days of intense fighting, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations requested a ceasefire on May 10, which was agreed upon later that day. However, with continuing security concerns along the border, Operation Sindoor remains active as India strengthens its defence posture and modernises its military capabilities.
Satellite imagery and defence sources suggest India may have targeted sensitive Pakistani military locations, including the Kirana Hills, a site linked to Pakistan’s covert missile and nuclear programs.
As the region remains on alert, Gen Chauhan’s remarks underline the Indian military’s strategic pivot toward integrated, technology-driven operations, ensuring preparedness against both conventional threats and asymmetric warfare.
