“We stopped the war very quickly. Yes, they were on the back foot, no doubt, but what were our objectives? Our objective was anti-terrorism. We had to strike them. We had done that. So if our objectives have been met, then why should we not terminate a conflict?," the Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has told Air Force veterans.
His case being Operation Sindoor was brought to an end as soon as its anti-terror objectives were achieved and moreover the Pakistani authorities had made a request for the same through its DGMO.
Donald Trump may his fables but it is also true Operation Sindoor had exposed the limitations of both China -made and US-made jets.
Air Chief Marshal argued that prolonging the conflict during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 would have left adverse fallout including 'delay' in further defence preparedness.
"Why should we carry on? Because any conflict has a lot of price which has to be paid.”
The fact of the matter had the Operation Sindoor continued even for a couple of days more it is certain the Indian Air Force was all set to hit hard at all the Pak-bases in the west of the Indus.
No doubt even an observer like Shekhar Gupta - not in the Modi-fan club - said:
"The PAF was no longer up for a fight".
The Indian Air Force did a commendable job when it launched missiles to hit every PAF base, air defence location and critical weapons storage across the entire length and breadth of Pakistan.
In fact, the only time the PAF was seen in an attacking mode was when the two JF-17s launched Chinese CM-400AKG anti-radiation missiles to target the S-400 radar at Adampur. But this attempt too was foiled by IAF.
Air Force chief A P Singh was categorical on why 'ending' the conflict (or to pause it) was a well thought out decision.
"Saalon sal beet gayen (The wars that started between Russia and Ukraine or the one fought by Israel are going on and on ... with no sign of end)", he said.
"This is because no one (at the level of those fighting these wars) is thinking abou terminating the wars.
"Even India was told after Operation Sindoor ... aur thoda karni chahiye tha ... We should have done more. We ended the war so quickly and abruptly.... Pakistan was on backfoot no doubt... But what we were our objectives".
Then he argued -- ".... Why should we carry on. Any conflict has many prices attached. It will affect our preparedness for the next one (war). It will affect our economy and it will affect the general progress of the country. I think this is what the world is forgetting".
"They seemed to have no idea what was their target when the war(s) were started. The goal post is being shifted over the years....Ego is coming in between and this is where the world has to learn a lesson from India on how to start and terminate a conflict at the earliest possible opportunity".
Talking about Operation Sindoor and the Indian Air Force; one can say sit did not a typical self-limiting objective, IAF would not be satisfied simply fighting and bringing down Pak jets. Overall 'national interests and objectives count'.
Air chief A P Singh said Indian objectives were achieved during Operation Sindoor.
The targets included
- Demonstrably deliver counter-force punishment on the enemy
- Destroy headquarters and other hubs of the Lashkar-e-Taiba at Muridke near Lahore
** and Jaish-e-Mohammed at Bahawalpur.
-- Defend and outsmart any counter-strike by the Pakistani forces. On the other hand, Pak Air Force were defensive right from the word 'go' and remained the same all along.
The PAF was unable to rose in combat to challenge scores of IAF aircraft that launched missiles to hit every PAF base, air defence location and critical weapons.
--
It failed to protect any of the predetermined IAF targets, despite well known fact that after Pahalgam attack, India was determined to do something solid.
- PAF could not interrupt the strike package. It failed to protect several critical air defence and SAM batteries from Harop/Harpy drone attacks.
ends
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