In a detailed account of last year’s Operation Sindoor, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday outlined the key factors that led to Pakistan seeking a ceasefire, attributing India’s success to what he described as “two turning points” during the brief but decisive military engagement. Speaking at the annual Army press conference in New Delhi, General Dwivedi also emphasized the high level of preparedness, tri-service coordination, and clear political directives that enabled the Armed Forces to achieve their objectives efficiently.

Operation Sindoor: A swift and precise strike

Operation Sindoor was launched in the early hours of May 7, 2025. In a meticulously planned operation, India’s military targeted nine terror camps located within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to General Dwivedi, the operation achieved its objectives in just 22 minutes, causing severe disarray within the Pakistani command structure and resulting in the elimination of multiple terrorists.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly highlighted the brevity and precision of the operation, noting that Pakistan “surrendered” within those 22 minutes—a point underscored by the Army chief during his briefing. “During that 22 minutes, the decision-making cycle of the opposite side was completely bewildered,” Dwivedi said, describing the first turning point of the operation.

The sudden and targeted nature of the strikes created immediate chaos along the border. General Dwivedi explained that the adversary’s response was uncoordinated, with reports of attempts ranging from stone attacks to limited missile or drone strikes. India, however, opted for a calibrated response, ensuring that the operation did not escalate beyond the intended politico-military objectives. “We didn’t want to take the fighting further because our goals were achieved,” he stated.

Tri-service readiness and escalation orders

Beyond the initial precision strikes, the second turning point, according to General Dwivedi, was linked to contingency preparations made on May 10, 2025. While he did not disclose full details for security reasons, he indicated that “certain orders” were given to all three branches of the Armed Forces to prepare for possible escalation. These orders provided clear instructions on actions to be taken if hostilities intensified, reinforcing the readiness and operational flexibility of the Indian military.

General Dwivedi described this second turning point as pivotal in signaling India’s preparedness and strategic capability to the adversary. He added that Pakistan had visibility of Indian naval and aerial deployments through satellite imagery, allowing them to “connect the dots” and recognize that continuing the fighting would be disadvantageous. Consequently, Pakistan decided it was “profitable” to halt hostilities, leading to the ceasefire.

Coordinated action under political directive

Dwivedi highlighted that Operation Sindoor exemplified the success of tri-service synergy under a clear political mandate. The Army, Air Force, and Navy were given full freedom to act, but their actions were guided by strategic directives aligned with national policy. “This was the best example of tri-service coordination under clear-cut political directives,” he remarked.

He also noted that the operation reinforced the value of jointness, innovation, and self-reliance within the Armed Forces. “The Indian Army remains satisfied with the progress made in 2025 through various initiatives under Jointness, Atmanirbharta, and Innovation,” he said, pointing to reforms and modernization efforts that enhanced operational readiness.

The broader impact of Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor, while brief, had significant strategic and political implications. It demonstrated India’s capacity to conduct precise, intelligence-driven strikes while minimizing escalation, sending a clear message of deterrence to adversaries. The operation also highlighted the importance of preparedness, coordination, and rapid decision-making in modern conflict scenarios.

For Pakistan, the operation revealed vulnerabilities in command and control as well as intelligence interpretation. The combined impact of India’s rapid strikes and the implicit threat posed by tri-service escalation orders contributed to their decision to cease hostilities.

General Dwivedi’s account provides a rare insight into the operational and strategic considerations behind one of the most talked-about military operations in recent Indian history. By detailing the “two turning points”—the initial 22-minute strike and the preparedness measures of May 10—he underscored how operational planning, timing, and communication can decisively influence outcomes in contemporary warfare.

Looking ahead

While the Army chief did not divulge specifics about certain sensitive orders, his statements reinforce India’s approach to national defense: combining precision, readiness, and strategic restraint. Operation Sindoor stands as a case study for future engagements, showcasing how a well-coordinated military response under clear political guidance can achieve objectives swiftly while maintaining control over escalation.

As India continues to modernize and enhance its military capabilities, lessons from Operation Sindoor are likely to influence training, joint operational doctrines, and strategic planning. General Dwivedi’s briefing reflects not only a recounting of past success but also an affirmation of India’s evolving defense posture in a complex regional security environment.

In conclusion, Pakistan’s surrender during Operation Sindoor was the result of a combination of precise initial strikes that disoriented the adversary and a robust, clearly communicated preparedness strategy that demonstrated India’s capability to escalate if required. These “two turning points” underscore the effectiveness of meticulous planning, tri-service coordination, and strategic foresight in contemporary military operations.