From Setbacks to Strength: CDS Chauhan’s candid Take on ‘Operation Sindoor’ and India’s Resilience

New Delhi, India – In a rare and candid admission that has resonated deeply across strategic circles and political corridors, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan recently shed light on the challenges faced by the Indian Armed Forces during ‘Operation Sindoor’ in early May. While acknowledging initial aircraft losses, his powerful message wasn’t one of defeat, but of rapid adaptation, strategic rectification, and ultimately, a stronger, more effective military response. This insight, coming from the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, offers a crucial glimpse into the often-unseen dynamics of modern warfare.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Decisive Response

‘Operation Sindoor’ unfolded as a critical four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan, triggered by the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians. In response, India launched targeted and precise missile strikes from within its international borders, aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure located across the Line of Control and deeper within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan proper. The operation, spanning from May 7th to May 10th, was characterized by its multi-domain nature, involving not just conventional strikes but also significant elements of cyber warfare and a sophisticated information campaign.

For days following the intense engagement, official communication from India maintained a stance of strategic silence on specific operational losses, focusing instead on the successful achievement of objectives and the damage inflicted on terror networks. This carefully managed narrative is typical during active hostilities, where sensitive information is guarded to prevent aiding the adversary. However, (CDS) General Chauhan’s recent remarks have provided a new layer of detail and context.

Speaking at the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue, a premier security summit in Singapore, on May 31, 2025, (CDS) General Chauhan addressed the long-standing speculation regarding Indian aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor. He confirmed, for the first time, that India did suffer “initial losses” of aircraft during the first day of the conflict, specifically on May 7th. While he vehemently dismissed Pakistan’s exaggerated claims of shooting down six Indian jets as “absolutely incorrect,” his acknowledgment marked a significant shift in the official stance.

However, the core of (CDS) General Chauhan’s message was not about the losses themselves, but the invaluable lessons derived from them. “I think what is important is not the jet being downed but why they were being downed,” he stated emphatically. This philosophy underscores a military mindset that prioritizes continuous learning and tactical evolution over mere numbers.

General Chauhan then revealed what he termed “the good part” of this challenging experience. He explained that the Indian Armed Forces swiftly identified the “tactical mistakes” that led to these initial losses. “The good part is that we were able to understand the tactical mistake which we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range,”¹ he elaborated.

This statement highlights an extraordinary level of battlefield adaptation and resilience. Within a mere 48 hours, the Indian military recalibrated its strategy, corrected its vulnerabilities, and resumed its offensive with renewed precision and vigor. General Chauhan further elaborated that after these adjustments, India successfully conducted deep strikes into Pakistani territory, penetrating even heavily defended airfields up to 300 kilometers with “meter precision.” This swift recovery and enhanced operational capability, he implied, ultimately compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire on May 10th, facilitating an end to hostilities.

The CDS’s remarks also touched upon the effectiveness of opposing military technology. He downplayed Pakistan’s claims regarding the efficacy of Chinese-supplied weaponry, stating bluntly, “They didn’t work,” in the face of India’s precision strikes. He also clarified that, despite some international speculation, the conflict never neared a nuclear threshold, emphasizing that multiple “sub-ladders” for de-escalation were always open.

General Chauhan’s statements offer crucial insights into India’s evolving military doctrine and preparedness. They underscore the armed forces’ commitment to a culture of introspection and rapid improvement. In an era of dynamic and multi-domain warfare, the ability to learn from setbacks, quickly adapt tactics, and enhance operational effectiveness is paramount.

While the CDS’s candor has opened the door for political demands for greater transparency regarding specific numbers and details, his primary focus remained on the strategic lessons. This incident, as described by him, served as a crucial real-world combat scenario that allowed India to test its systems, identify weaknesses, and rectify them on the fly, emerging ultimately more capable and confident. The message is clear: even in the face of adversity, India’s military is committed to learning, adapting, and ensuring its formidable capability. The ‘good part’ of Operation Sindoor, in the CDS’s view, is precisely this journey of operational growth and enhanced combat readiness.