PUNE/NEW DELHI – In a powerful and candid statement, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has praised the success of India’s Operation Sindoor, asserting that professional military forces must focus on results—not losses. Speaking at a special lecture in Pune titled “Future Wars and Warfare,” the CDS underlined the Indian Armed Forces’ ability to adapt, strike back, and emerge victorious.
“Professional forces do not dwell on setbacks or losses. What matters is the outcome,” said CDS Chauhan, marking a bold affirmation of the Indian military’s recent operation that penetrated deep into Pakistani airspace, targeting strategic airbases.
Precision Strikes and Tactical Resilience
Operation Sindoor, conducted between May 7 and 10, involved deep-penetration airstrikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on multiple Pakistani installations, including the high-value Nur Khan Airbase. Despite unconfirmed reports of Indian losses during the initial phase, General Chauhan dismissed such setbacks as operational learning moments.
“What’s important is not whether jets were downed, but why—and what we did after. We corrected our tactical errors, returned two days later, and struck with precision and impunity,” he told international reporters.
In statements to both Bloomberg and Reuters, Chauhan confirmed that India re-entered hostile airspace on May 7, 8, and 10, striking Pakistani airbases and radar systems with renewed force and accuracy.
“We’ll Share the Numbers Soon” — Pakistan’s Losses Under Review
Responding to questions on Pakistan’s claims and casualties, General Chauhan emphasized that a final technical assessment is underway.
“We’ll soon release data on how many aircraft and radars we destroyed. But make no mistake — the operation’s success speaks for itself.”
Using a cricket metaphor to drive his point, he added:
“If you win by an innings, you don’t count how many balls or wickets. Victory is what matters.”
On the Pahalgam Attack: ‘Unthinkable Brutality’
CDS Chauhan also addressed the recent Pahalgam terror attack, describing it as an act of “profound cruelty”. According to the CDS, victims were executed with headshots in front of their families, solely based on their religion.
“It wasn’t just an act of terror. It was symbolic of the inhuman brutality our nation has endured. India has lost nearly 20,000 people to terrorism—far more than the West has in their worst incidents,” he said, referencing global double standards.
India-Pakistan Ceasefire and U.S. Mediation Claims Rejected
In a direct response to past statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump claiming to mediate between India and Pakistan, General Chauhan dismissed the notion:
“On May 10, at 1 a.m., Pakistan thought they could bring India to its knees in 48 hours. But their operations folded within eight hours. Then they picked up the phone and asked for talks.”
Strengthening International Ties
Earlier, on June 1, General Chauhan met with Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force, reinforcing bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations amid rising regional tensions.
