Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Ex-CDS Says Modi Gave Forces Freedom Before Operation Sindoor
Former military chief Anil Chauhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave India’s armed forces freedom to decide when to act.
This followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
India began discussing diplomatic, economic, trade, and military responses on April 23.
Military leaders later presented several possible plans to the government.
At a meeting on April 29, Modi reportedly said there was no need to act immediately.
He told the military to choose its timing, avoid mistakes, and collect evidence of what it did.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, against alleged terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The operation was paused on May 10 after a formal request from Pakistan, according to one article.
Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the armed forces complete freedom of action before Operation Sindoor.
Modi reportedly told commanders they could choose when to act and faced no political pressure to launch the operation immediately.
India discussed diplomatic, economic, trade, and military responses after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
At an April 29 meeting, Modi reportedly demanded that the operation avoid human or technical failure and produce evidence of its actions.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting alleged terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir; the operation was paused on May 10 after a Pakistani request.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, India’s armed forces, and senior Indian security officials.
- What
- Chauhan said Modi gave the military operational freedom before Operation Sindoor while requiring reliable execution and evidence.
- When
- India began broader response discussions on April 23; Modi conveyed his political position on April 24; a key meeting occurred on April 29; Operation Sindoor began on May 7, 2025, and was reportedly paused on May 10.
- Where
- The key meeting took place in India; Chauhan later spoke at the Vivekananda Centre in New Delhi. The operation targeted alleged sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- India sought to respond to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and communicate that it would not tolerate cross-border terrorism.
- Operation
- Operation Sindoor
- Launch date
- May 7, 2025
- Reported pause
- May 10, after a formal request from the Pakistani side
- Trigger
- The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack
- Key military figure
- Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan
- Reported directive
- Choose the timing, prevent human or technical failure, provide evidence, and exercise complete freedom of action
- Planning milestone
- The Chiefs of Staff Committee, Defence Minister, and National Security Advisor met the Prime Minister on April 29
