1 week ago
Bad Weather Redirected India’s Skardu Strike During Operation Sindoor
India planned to attack a target called Skardu during Operation Sindoor.
The plan had been approved by Indian military leaders.
However, the weather over Skardu became too bad for the aircraft to proceed safely.
The Indian Air Force therefore changed the mission to another target called Bholari.
An IAF hangar strike was carried out there on May 10, 2025.
Former Defence Chief Anil Chauhan described this decision at an event in New Delhi.
Operation Sindoor had begun after a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people.
India said the operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
India had authorised the Indian Air Force to strike Skardu during Operation Sindoor.
Former CDS General Anil Chauhan said adverse weather prevented the Skardu mission.
The operation was redirected to Bholari, where the IAF struck a hangar.
The IAF had initially received clearance to strike Sargodha and identify two additional targets.
Operation Sindoor followed the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
- Who
- Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the Indian Air Force.
- What
- India redirected an authorised air strike from Skardu to Bholari because of bad weather.
- Where
- The planned target was Skardu; the replacement target was Bholari, with Sargodha also initially cleared for consideration.
- When
- During the May 10, 2025, phase of Operation Sindoor.
- Why
- Adverse weather over Skardu prevented the planned strike, while Operation Sindoor followed the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack.
Key facts
- Operation
- Operation Sindoor
- Planned target
- Skardu
- Replacement target
- Bholari
- Initial approved target
- Sargodha
- Strike date
- May 10, 2025
- Triggering attack
- The April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people
- Event where disclosure was made
- VIMARSH programme hosted by the Vivekananda International Foundation in New Delhi
Quotes
General Anil Chauhan
Former Chief of Defence Staff of India
“One of the targets he had identified was Skardu. We gave a ‘yes’, but after some time, the weather was bad in Skardu, and they had to change over to Bholari.”
thestatesman.com
“The Chief had asked me whether he should strike Sargodha. I said, ‘Go ahead’ and added, ‘Please identify two more targets,’”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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