New Delhi — Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi provided the most detailed official account to date of Operation Sindoor, explaining the two decisive turning points that led Pakistan to seek a ceasefire during the brief 2025 military engagement.
Speaking at the Indian Army’s Annual Press Conference, General Dwivedi highlighted that the armed forces operated with full operational freedom to “act or respond,” guided by clear political and military directives. He credited India’s success to meticulous preparedness, rapid execution, and seamless tri-service coordination.
The two turning points, as outlined by the Army chief:
- The initial 22-minute precision strike(May 7, 2025): India targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in a swift, coordinated operation lasting just 22 minutes. This caught Pakistan completely off guard, severely disrupting its decision-making process. General Dwivedi described the aftermath across the border as chaotic—marked by confusion, uncoordinated responses involving drones and missiles, and overall mismanagement. India, having achieved its primary objectives, responded in a measured and calibrated manner to avoid unnecessary escalation.
- Strategic mobilisation and clear signalling** (May 10, 2025): On the morning of May 10, all three Indian services received explicit instructions on actions to take if the conflict escalated further. While declining to disclose specifics, General Dwivedi noted that these preparations—visible through satellite imagery of Indian naval, air, and ground force movements—were unmistakable to Pakistan. Once Pakistani observers “connected the dots,” they recognised the high risks of continued fighting and the strategic advantage India held. This realisation prompted Pakistan to pursue de-escalation, leading to a ceasefire understanding via military channels.
General Dwivedi described Operation Sindoor as a textbook case of tri-service synergy executed under firm political leadership. He emphasised that India was fully prepared for a broader conflict if required, but deliberately chose restraint once its politico-military goals, neutralising terror infrastructure in response to prior attacks, were met.
The Army chief also expressed satisfaction with 2025 advancements in jointness, self-reliance (Atmanirbharta), and military innovation. His remarks reinforce India’s posture of strong deterrence: decisive action against terrorism without seeking prolonged conflict.
This account underscores how strategic surprise, operational speed, and visible readiness combined to compel Pakistan to back down swiftly, reshaping perceptions of escalation dynamics in the region. Operation Sindoor remains ongoing in spirit, with India maintaining vigilance against future provocations.
