Retired Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has revealed that India deliberately delayed accepting Pakistan's request for a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. This strategic decision allowed Indian forces to complete more of their planned military strikes, aiming for a more decisive victory against Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 25 tourists. Pakistan initiated a ceasefire request via the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) hotline around 9:30 AM on May 10, 2025. However, India chose to continue its offensive until later that afternoon, as a significant portion of its intended operations had not yet been executed.
A Strategic Delay for Decisive Victory
General Chauhan, who played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of Operation Sindoor, emphasized the rationale behind the delay. He stated that India had not even carried out half of its planned actions when the ceasefire request came. The objective was to make the victory unequivocally clear, compelling Pakistan to realize the futility of continued conflict.
The ceasefire request from Pakistan reportedly came as a surprise to Indian strategists. General Chauhan noted that just the day prior, on May 9, Pakistani rhetoric had been aggressive, asserting they would "sort India out in 48 hours."
Extensive Strikes on Military Targets
Between the night of May 9 and the afternoon of May 10, Indian forces conducted a series of strikes on 11 Pakistani military sites and airbases. These operations caused considerable damage to crucial infrastructure, including hangars, radar installations, and several fighter jets. Key locations targeted included Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bholari, where repairs were still reportedly ongoing at the time of General Chauhan's remarks.
According to General Chauhan, these strikes were designed to convey an unambiguous message: no military installation within Pakistan was beyond the reach of the Indian armed forces. The rapid and extensive damage inflicted led Pakistan to seek a truce within approximately eight hours of the intensified offensive.
India's Battlefield Advantage
A critical factor in India's operational success was its superior "battlefield transparency," General Chauhan explained. This enabled India to quickly assess the impact of its own attacks and those of Pakistan, facilitating faster and more informed decision-making. Pakistan, in contrast, struggled to gauge the full extent of the damage.
Pakistan had attempted to execute deep strikes without crossing the border, mirroring India's capabilities. However, India had already begun targeting Pakistani airfields, rendering their runways unusable for further sorties. General Chauhan indicated that the severe impact on Pakistan's air power was the primary reason for their urgent ceasefire call on May 10, as they recognized the escalating situation would otherwise spiral beyond control.
Despite Pakistan's request, India pressed ahead with additional waves of strikes, launching offensives at 10 AM and again at 1 PM, before finally agreeing to halt operations. This sustained pressure was deemed essential to ensure the victory achieved was truly decisive.