In a significant strategic assessment of recent regional developments, India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, stated that Pakistan’s recent hurried military and constitutional restructuring serves as a tacit admission of the “serious shortcomings” exposed during Operation Sindoor.
Speaking at an interaction in Pune on January 10, 2026, General Chauhan highlighted how the 2025 conflict fundamentally altered Pakistan’s internal defense architecture, forcing Islamabad to adopt changes that were previously unthinkable.
The Genesis of Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was a high-intensity military engagement launched by India in May 2025. It was triggered by a major terror attack on Pahalgam in April 2025. While the Indian government has described the operation as “paused, not concluded,” its impact on the ground and within the Pakistani establishment has been profound.
During the conflict, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully neutralized several Pakistani assets, including five fighter jets and a large surveillance aircraft. India’s layered air defense grid, bolstered by the S-400 system, proved impenetrable against Pakistani attempts to breach the border using Turkish drones and Chinese-made PL-15 missiles.
Constitutional Upheaval and Command Changes
According to General Chauhan, the “hurried” constitutional amendments in Pakistan are the most telling evidence of their failure. The conflict exposed deep fissures in Pakistan’s higher defense organization, leading to the following radical changes:
- Abolition of the JCSC: Pakistan abolished the long-standing post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
- Creation of the CDF: In its place, Islamabad established the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). However, General Chauhan noted a critical flaw: under the new rules, the CDF is appointed by the Army Chief. This hierarchy runs counter to the principle of “jointness” and suggests a further consolidation of power within the Pakistani Army rather than a move toward modern, integrated command.
- A Move of Desperation: The CDS remarked that these changes, done in haste, were an acknowledgment that “everything did not go well for them during Op Sindoor.”
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Separation of Conventional and Nuclear Forces
One of the more “sensible corrections” noted by the Indian defense chief was Pakistan’s decision to separate its conventional missile forces from its nuclear assets. By creating an Army Rocket Force distinct from the Strategic Nuclear Command, Pakistan has aligned itself with global best practices.
“This separation actually adds an extra rung in the escalation ladder and pushes the nuclear threshold higher,” General Chauhan explained. This shift is seen as an attempt to prevent a conventional skirmish from accidentally spiraling into a nuclear exchange, a risk that was dangerously high during the peak of Operation Sindoor.
Modern Warfare: Technology over Geography
Reflecting on the broader lessons of the conflict, General Chauhan emphasized that military strategy is undergoing a fundamental shift. For centuries, geography—mountains, rivers, and plains—dictated the outcome of battles from Panipat to Plassey.
Today, technology is the primary driver. The CDS noted that while traditional land warfare remains a brutal reality (as seen in Ukraine and Gaza), India must prepare for “new-domain warfare” that is smarter and faster. This involves a transition from platform-centric warfare to data-driven, net-centric operations.
Countering Fake News and Information Warfare
Operation Sindoor also served as a wake-up call regarding the “information domain.” General Chauhan admitted that India lacked a robust mechanism to counter fake news during the conflict, which allowed false reports—including claims of Indian pilots being captured—to circulate.
In response, India is now implementing a dedicated real-time system to monitor social media and electronic media. This system is designed to ensure the timely dissemination of verified information, preventing adversaries from gaining an advantage in the narrative war.
Conclusion: A State of Constant Readiness
While “trust is gradually rebuilding” between the neighbors, the Chief of Defence Staff cautioned that the current geopolitical flux means nothing can be ruled out. India remains committed to its modernization roadmap, emphasizing domestic procurement and the reskilling of personnel for cyber, space, and information warfare.
The structural scars left on Pakistan by Operation Sindoor—from its rewritten constitution to its reorganized missile command—stand as a testament to the effectiveness of India’s strategic response in 2025. For India, the focus remains clear: “We must remain prepared for any contingency, at any time.”
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