Army Chief Reveals Timeline of Operation Sindoor, Says Forces Got ‘Free Hand’ After Pahalgam Attack

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has outlined how India planned its military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, saying the armed forces were given a “free hand” just a day later.

Speaking on August 4, Gen. Dwivedi said a meeting on April 23 saw Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declare “enough is enough,” with all three service chiefs agreeing that action was necessary. The government’s political clarity and confidence, he said, empowered commanders on the ground to act decisively.

The plan for Operation Sindoor — targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — took shape quickly. On April 25, top commanders visited Northern Command to finalise and execute strikes on seven of nine planned targets, killing numerous terrorists.

The first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the attack took place on April 29. Gen. Dwivedi said the operation galvanised the nation, with widespread public calls for decisive action.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, resulting in the destruction of key terror camps, the killing of over 100 terrorists, and, according to Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the downing of five Pakistani fighter jets and an early warning aircraft.