Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India launched Operation Sindoor, which led to significant success against Pakistan and the destruction of terrorist hideouts. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has described Operation Sindoor as a strategic game of chess. He highlighted the intricate maneuvers employed during the operation, referring to it as a ‘grey zone’ mission.
General Dwivedi explained that Operation Sindoor differed significantly from other missions due to the uncertainty surrounding the enemy’s next move, making it akin to a chess game. Despite this, India achieved a decisive victory.
“In Operation Sindoor, we played chess… We didn’t know what the enemy’s next move would be, and what we were going to do. It’s called the grey zone,” the Army Chief stated. “Grey zone means we are not doing traditional operations. What we are doing is slightly less than traditional operations. We were playing chess moves, and they (the enemy) were also playing chess moves.”
Speaking at an event at IIT Madras, he remarked, “At times we were checkmating them, and at times we were willing to concede, risking our lives, but that is life.”
The Army was granted complete freedom during Operation Sindoor. The Army Chief noted that the operation, which commenced on May 7, aimed to retaliate against the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists had killed 26 tourists. He mentioned that the Army received complete freedom from the Defence Minister and the Prime Minister during this operation.
Dwivedi recounted a meeting held on April 23 following the Pahalgam attack, where the directive was clear: a decisive response was required. The responsibility of determining the action and its execution was given to the Army, a first-time occurrence of such open orders.
Regarding the name ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the Army Chief reflected on how a simple name united the entire nation, inspiring the country and prompting questions about the operation’s progress. He also mentioned that India achieved victory through both military and scientific means. The operation targeted terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In response, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks, which were intercepted by India’s air defense systems. According to analysts, this campaign showcased India’s capacity for high-precision, coordinated military action, successfully dismantling terrorist infrastructure.