India’s May 7 strikes under Operation Sindoor marked a calculated and strategically significant action against terror infrastructure across the border in Pakistan. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan explained that the decision to conduct the operation between 1 am and 1:30 am was deliberate, reflecting both the confidence of Indian forces in executing precision strikes in complete darkness and their determination to minimize civilian casualties. Unlike the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, where no satellite proof was available, this mission was designed to capture clear evidence through advanced night-time imagery while avoiding the early morning hours of Azaan and Namaz, when many civilians would have been awake and vulnerable.
General Chauhan elaborated that while the most optimal timing for the operation could have been at dawn, around 5:30 or 6 am, such a window carried immense risks to civilian lives. The Indian forces, therefore, undertook the challenge of striking in the dead of night to ensure that the offensive remained strictly targeted against terrorist launchpads. The precision strikes destroyed nine identified terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, carried out as a direct retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 innocent civilians were killed.
The Defence Chief described Operation Sindoor as an example of “a new kind of warfare” that extended far beyond traditional battlegrounds. Unlike conventional wars where success was measured in terms of captured land, destroyed equipment, or enemy casualties, this mission emphasized technological sophistication, precision, and dominance across multiple domains. General Chauhan stressed that modern conflicts are no longer restricted to land, air, and sea but now span cyberspace, electromagnetic fields, satellites, and even psychological influence. The operation demonstrated India’s ability to integrate these dimensions into a coordinated and decisive strike.
He highlighted that previous Indian responses, such as the Uri and Balakot operations, had largely relied on land or air power. However, Operation Sindoor introduced a surprise element by deploying drones and other advanced capabilities newly acquired by India. This technological leap, he asserted, ensured that India maintained escalation dominance over Pakistan at every stage of the operation.
General Chauhan underlined that modern warfare is increasingly defined by the use of tomorrow’s technology to fight today’s battles. Precision night strikes, signal intelligence, and satellite surveillance were critical tools that shaped the outcome of the May 7 operation. The sophistication of these attacks, rather than the number of enemy assets destroyed, was the true measure of India’s success.
Finally, the Defence Chief emphasized that one of the most important takeaways from Operation Sindoor was the set of lessons learned for future preparedness. He explained that the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force had drawn significant insights into integrating resources, improving coordination, and expanding technological capacities. As warfare continues to evolve, General Chauhan said, India’s armed forces are not only adapting to these changes but also shaping the battlespace of the future. True victory, he concluded, lies not only in swift action but also in maintaining superiority across all domains of conflict.
