Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India launched Operation Sindoor, a mission that led to significant achievements against Pakistan. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has likened Operation Sindoor to a strategic chess game, highlighting the calculated nature of the military actions. He referred to the operation as a ‘grey zone’ mission.
General Dwivedi explained that Operation Sindoor differed significantly from typical missions due to the uncertainty surrounding the enemy’s next steps, creating a dynamic reminiscent of a chess match. Despite this, India was able to secure a decisive victory.
“In Operation Sindoor, we played chess… We didn’t know what the enemy’s next move would be, and what we were going to do. It’s called the grey zone,” General Dwivedi stated. “Grey zone means we are not doing traditional operations. We were playing chess moves, and they (the enemy) were also playing chess moves.”
Speaking at an event at IIT Madras, he said, “At times we were checkmating them, and at times we were willing to concede, risking our lives, but that is life.”
The Army was given complete authority during Operation Sindoor. Dwivedi noted that the operation, which began on May 7, was designed to retaliate against the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where terrorists had killed 26 tourists. The Army received the complete backing of the Defence Minister and the Prime Minister during this operation.
Dwivedi recounted a meeting on April 23 following the Pahalgam attack, where the directive was clear: a strong response was required. The Army was given the responsibility of deciding on and executing the response, a rare instance of such open orders.
Regarding the name ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the Army Chief discussed how the name inspired the entire nation. He also stated that India achieved victory through both military and scientific means, targeting terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In response, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks, which were intercepted by India’s air defense systems. The operation showed India’s capacity for high-precision, coordinated military action, successfully dismantling terrorist infrastructure.