Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan, addressing students at Savitribai Phule Pune University, emphasized that temporary setbacks in military operations are insignificant when compared to strategic outcomes. Referring to India’s bold military response through Operation Sindoor, Gen Chauhan stated that the operation marked a paradigm shift in India's counter-terror approach.

Responding to criticism regarding the acknowledgment of combat losses during the operation, Gen Chauhan firmly said, “Losses are not important. In war, what matters is how you act and what results you achieve.” He added that it would be inappropriate to focus on numbers, asserting that morale and long-term objectives must guide military judgment.

Gen Chauhan highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing strategy of “bleeding India by a thousand cuts” through state-sponsored terrorism. Operation Sindoor, he said, was India’s decisive answer to this decades-old tactic. The Pahalgam terror attack, described by him as “profound cruelty,” catalyzed a firm military and political response from New Delhi.

Rejecting any possibility of living under the shadow of terror or nuclear blackmail, Gen Chauhan declared that India has drawn a new redline. “We have connected terror to water, and raised the bar,” he stated, referring to the broader strategic levers India is now willing to use.

He also noted the precision of Indian strikes during the operation—some as narrow as two meters—highlighting the surgical accuracy and intent behind India's response.

Pakistan, expecting a 48-hour counteroffensive, found its efforts collapsing within eight hours and sought talks, Gen Chauhan revealed. By May 10, it became evident to Islamabad that continued escalation would be costly.

“War and politics go hand in hand,” the CDS concluded, emphasizing that India’s resolve has altered the regional security calculus.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan, addressing students at Savitribai Phule Pune University, emphasized that temporary setbacks in military operations are insignificant when compared to strategic outcomes. Referring to India’s bold military response through Operation Sindoor, Gen Chauhan stated that the operation marked a paradigm shift in India's counter-terror approach.

Responding to criticism regarding the acknowledgment of combat losses during the operation, Gen Chauhan firmly said, “Losses are not important. In war, what matters is how you act and what results you achieve.” He added that it would be inappropriate to focus on numbers, asserting that morale and long-term objectives must guide military judgment.

Gen Chauhan highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing strategy of “bleeding India by a thousand cuts” through state-sponsored terrorism. Operation Sindoor, he said, was India’s decisive answer to this decades-old tactic. The Pahalgam terror attack, described by him as “profound cruelty,” catalyzed a firm military and political response from New Delhi.

Rejecting any possibility of living under the shadow of terror or nuclear blackmail, Gen Chauhan declared that India has drawn a new redline. “We have connected terror to water, and raised the bar,” he stated, referring to the broader strategic levers India is now willing to use.

He also noted the precision of Indian strikes during the operation—some as narrow as two meters—highlighting the surgical accuracy and intent behind India's response.

Pakistan, expecting a 48-hour counteroffensive, found its efforts collapsing within eight hours and sought talks, Gen Chauhan revealed. By May 10, it became evident to Islamabad that continued escalation would be costly.

“War and politics go hand in hand,” the CDS concluded, emphasizing that India’s resolve has altered the regional security calculus.