Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday confirmed that India had executed surgical strikes on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) under "Operation Sindoor". These strikes were carried out as a direct retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, which took place earlier that week and resulted in the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives.

General Chauhan made these remarks while delivering a special lecture on ‘Future Wars and Warfare’ at the Savitribai Phule Pune University, underlining both the timing and strategic communication surrounding the operation.

The Trigger: Pahalgam Terror Attack

The terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, shook the nation. It involved heavily armed militants targeting civilians, leaving 26 people dead. The gravity of the attack called for an immediate and calculated military response from India.

Within days, India launched Operation Sindoor — a covert surgical strike on terrorist launchpads and infrastructure across the LoC (Line of Control). The precision and swiftness of the mission reflected the preparedness and intelligence strength of Indian forces.

Operation Sindoor: Strike Details and Timeline

According to General Chauhan, the surgical strikes were conducted between 1:00 AM and 1:05 AM on May 7. The timing of the attack was critical to achieving maximum strategic effect with minimal collateral damage.

"We had informed Pakistan on the day we launched the surgical strikes on the 7th of May... We did the strike between 1 and 1.05 am. After that we called Pakistan to say we have done this," said Chauhan during his address.

The CDS further clarified that India also warned Pakistan of severe retaliation in the event of any counter-response from their side. The pre-emptive communication was aimed at deterrence, rather than any form of cooperation or alerting the enemy, as was later alleged by some political leaders.

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation and Political Row

Following the revelation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Indian government of informing Pakistan in advance about the strikes, which sparked a major political debate. He questioned the intent behind making such disclosures, suggesting it undermined the strategic advantage and exposed operational secrecy.

However, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar swiftly countered these accusations, labelling them as “dishonest” and “a misrepresentation of events.”

“The Congress party’s version of events is not just incorrect but also dangerous to national interest,” Jaishankar stated in response to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks.

He emphasized that the communication to Pakistan was made post-strike, serving as a warning and a deterrent — not an advance tip-off.

India’s Strategic Doctrine and Message to Pakistan

General Chauhan’s statement clearly aligns with India’s evolving defence doctrine, where surgical and precision strikes are used as tools of strategic messaging. The Indian Armed Forces have adopted a proactive approach in dealing with terrorism emanating from across the border.

By hitting nine specific terror infrastructure sites, India demonstrated its capacity to strike precisely and swiftly — with strong post-strike messaging to avoid escalation while affirming deterrence.

India also reiterated that any attack on its soil will not go unanswered, especially those aimed at civilians or soft targets.

International Implications and Diplomatic Balance

While the strikes were militarily successful, they also served a diplomatic purpose. India ensured:

• That Pakistan could not claim ignorance of its territory being used for terror

• That international observers were made aware of India's self-restraint in choosing limited and focused targets

• That any counter-escalation by Pakistan would be met with greater force, thus keeping military pressure intact

This kind of transparent but firm posturing is a hallmark of 21st-century conflict response, where military actions are closely monitored by global powers and multilateral institutions.

India’s Preparedness for Future Conflicts

The context of General Chauhan’s speech — ‘Future Wars and Warfare’ — is important. He stressed the changing nature of war, where technology, misinformation, and hybrid warfare play increasingly significant roles.

He indicated that India is investing in AI, cyber capabilities, satellite surveillance, and intelligence gathering to respond faster and more precisely to future threats.

The emphasis on preparedness and deterrence rather than passive defence shows a paradigm shift in India’s military strategy.

Conclusion: National Security Over Political Rhetoric

Operation Sindoor has brought to light not only India’s bold response to terrorism, but also the sensitive balance between strategic communication and political narratives. While the military did inform Pakistan post-strike, the intent was deterrence, not dialogue.

India has made it clear that no act of terrorism will go unpunished. The country’s military, diplomatic, and political establishments have all stood in unison to defend the nation's sovereignty.

The need of the hour, however, is national unity and political maturity to avoid public rhetoric that can potentially harm India’s strategic interests and operational integrity.

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