"Air Chief Marshal AP Singh offers insights, suggesting global learning from India's perspective, as he discusses the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israel's war."
In May 2025, India's armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted military operation against Pakistani terror infrastructure. The operation, which lasted for four days, resulted in the destruction of nine terror launch pads and the neutralisation of over 100 terrorists.
The operation was initiated in response to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 25 civilians. In the aftermath of the attack, India's air defence systems successfully thwarted retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Pakistan.
During the operation, India's forces focused on achieving clear anti-terror goals before halting further hostilities. The operation delivered a severe blow to terror networks, with the additional destruction of terror launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Remarkably, no significant damage was reported on the Indian side during the operation.
The operation's success was not without controversy, however. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he 'surrendered' to pressure from US President Donald Trump and announced the ceasefire on May 10, just five hours after receiving a directive from Trump.
Air Chief Marshal Singh, speaking on the matter, called on the international community to study India's approach to ending military conflicts. He emphasised that prolonging the conflict after objectives were met would increase costs and that India's strategy differed from prolonged wars elsewhere.
The ceasefire was agreed upon after India warned Pakistan that further actions would result in a stronger response. Operation Sindoor concluded with the ceasefire, marking a significant step towards peace in the region.
Air Chief Marshal Singh also emphasised that India's approach to ending military conflicts differs from prolonged wars elsewhere. He called for the international community to recognise India's efforts in combating terrorism and maintaining peace in the region.
In a rally in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, on August 27, 2025, Rahul Gandhi expressed his criticism of Prime Minister Modi regarding the ceasefire dated May 10 in the context of Operation Sindoor. He accused Modi of bowing to US pressure and halting military action prematurely. However, the success of Operation Sindoor speaks for itself, demonstrating India's commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining peace in the region.
