Gen Chauhan: Pakistan targets India; we respond firmly

Pune

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said on Tuesday that professional militaries don’t get discouraged by temporary losses because what matters most are the final results. Speaking at Savitribai Phule Pune University, he explained that Pakistan has been trying to weaken India through constant small attacks, but India responded firmly by launching Operation Sindoor, setting a new red line against cross-border terrorism.

Gen Chauhan addressed criticism over India losing some combat jets during the operation’s early phase, saying that focusing on losses is less important than how the military acts and the outcomes it achieves. He stressed that in war, morale must be maintained despite setbacks.

He also mentioned that alongside war, politics play a role, highlighting how Pakistan’s Army Chief Gen Asim Munir made hostile statements against India and Hindus before the Pahalgam attack, showing Islamabad’s intent to bleed India by a thousand cuts. Gen Chauhan called the Pahalgam attack a cruel act and said Operation Sindoor was aimed at stopping state-sponsored terrorism that holds India hostage.

He described Indian strikes as precise, targeting Pakistani sites with incredible accuracy. Regarding ceasefire talks, he said Pakistan planned to continue fighting for 48 hours but stopped after about eight hours, seeking talks because they realized they would suffer greater losses.

Gen Chauhan said India accepted Pakistan’s request for talks but emphasized that India has raised the bar by linking terror to critical resources like water and drawing new military limits against terrorism.