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CDS General Anil Chauhan revealed India used air power in Operation Sindoor to destroy terror camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke.
CDS General Anil Chauhan. (X)
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Friday said that India chose to go beyond drones and used “air power” to destroy terror camps in Pakistan’s Bahawalpur and Muridke during Operation Sindoor.
While addressing an event titled ‘National Security Challenges Before India,’ in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, the Defence Chief said that it was decided that destroying terrorist camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke required air power, as this would help achieve the political objective, news agency ANI reported.
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He further explained why India chose to go beyond drones and loitering munitions during Operation Sindoor, saying, “After the Pahalgam terror attack, we already had enhanced precision strike capabilities. When we discussed with the political leadership, it was decided that by only using drones and loitering munitions, we would not be able to achieve the political objectives. To destroy terrorist camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke, it was necessary to use air power, which is why we had to make a bit of a change in our plans.”
CDS Chauhan further said that precision strikes were carried out as the defence forces were given “full operational freedom” and clear directions by the Central government.
“During Operation Sindoor, the political leadership provided a clear direction with a clear message to destroy the terrorist camps, and retaliate only if we are attacked. During Operation Sindoor, we were given full operational freedom, including planning and selection of targets,” the CDS said.
He further emphasised that India and Pakistan have learned different lessons after the Balakot operation. India focused on long-range precision strike weapons and post-strike damage assessment, and Pakistan might have focused on its air defence.
“During the surgical strikes after the 2016 Uri terror attack, the Indian Army entered Pakistan by land and destroyed the terrorist camps. We conducted airstrikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region after Pulwama attack”, the CDS added.
Operation Sindoor
In the early hours of May 7, Indian Defence Forces launched precision strikes at nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under “Operation Sindoor” in response to the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives.
In a late-night press statement on May 7, the Indian Defence Ministry said, “A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.”
The strikes killed over 100 terrorists, including 10 family members of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and four close aides.
Targets included Jaish’s Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, Sarjal camp in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and the Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad. Lashkar’s strongholds — Markaz Taiba in Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad — were also hit. Hizbul Mujahideen’s facilities at Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were among those targeted.
The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.
(With inputs from ANI)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
Gorakhpur, India, India
September 05, 2025, 19:56 IST
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