New Delhi

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Saturday described Operation Sindoor as fundamentally different from India’s earlier military engagements, calling it a multi-domain and technology-driven campaign that relied heavily on coordination across the armed forces and government agencies.

Speaking at the Sena Samvad event in New Delhi, General Chauhan said the operation represented a new style of warfare involving coordinated action across land, air and maritime domains, while also incorporating cyber and space-based capabilities.

“Operation Sindoor was unlike any previous conflict we have fought. For the first time, it involved a coordinated multi-domain approach. It was largely a non-contact form of warfare and made extensive use of emerging technologies, including cyber and space capabilities,” he said.

The CDS noted that although the operation lasted around 88 hours, it required extensive planning and coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force, as well as multiple government departments and agencies.

“It was a highly coordinated operation. Even the benchmarks for success were different this time. Imagine an object accurately striking a target in this room from 300 to 400 kilometres away — that kind of precision was unprecedented in our region,” he remarked.

Responding to a question about India’s long-term national goals, General Chauhan said the country’s aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047 could only be achieved through sincerity and dedication in every field of work.

“Whatever profession one chooses, it should bring satisfaction. If every individual performs their duty sincerely, it will contribute to the nation’s progress. When personal goals align with national objectives, both the country and the individual benefit,” he said.

General Chauhan, who is set to complete his tenure later this month, also reflected on his future plans after retirement. He said he hoped to share the experience gained during his tenure as CDS with younger officers who would assume senior leadership positions in the future.

“The role of CDS gave me responsibilities beyond what service chiefs traditionally handled. It has been a unique learning experience over the last three-and-a-half years, and I would like to help prepare the next generation of officers for these responsibilities,” he said.

Recalling memorable moments from his military career, the CDS spoke about his tenure commanding brigades in insurgency-affected regions such as Senapati in Manipur and Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the relationships he built with local communities in those areas continue to remain meaningful even years later.

He also mentioned his role in helping resettle the villages of Nelang and Jadung, describing those efforts as among the most fulfilling experiences of his service.

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Operation Sindoor was launched by India in May last year following the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The conflict later escalated with India carrying out strikes on Pakistani airbases after retaliatory actions by Islamabad.