Former CDS Anil Chauhan Reveals India Planned To Target Skardu Airbase After Sargodha

Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has made a significant and detailed disclosure regarding India's military strategy and planned strikes during a major counter-terrorism operation known as Operation Sindoor. In a comprehensive revelation, General Chauhan shared that after successfully targeting Sargodha, the Indian armed forces had a concrete plan to strike the Skardu airbase located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. This strategic move was intended to be a follow-up action, but the execution of the plan regarding Skardu had to be reconsidered and ultimately altered at the last moment due to adverse weather conditions that prevailed in the target area.

The Strategic Planning of Operation Sindoor

General Anil Chauhan, who was holding a key command position in the army during the period of Operation Sindoor, shared these critical insights while addressing an audience at the Vivekananda International Foundation. His discussion focused on the operational intricacies of Operation Sindoor and the strategic environment that followed. According to the former CDS, the Indian military leadership had meticulously identified potential targets within Pakistani territory to neutralize threats effectively. Skardu airbase was specifically chosen as a high-priority potential target due to its strategic importance in the Gilgit-Baltistan sector.

Decision Making and Target Identification

Recalling the intense moments of the counter-terrorism operation, former CDS Chauhan described the communication flow between the military branches. He mentioned a specific instance where the Pakistani side initiated contact, stating they wished to speak at around 10 am. During this period of high alert, the then Air Chief consulted with General Chauhan regarding the strike on Sargodha. General Chauhan recounted that when the Air Chief asked if they should proceed with the attack on Sargodha, his response was to move forward. On top of that, General Chauhan requested the identification of two additional targets for potential strikes. Among the targets identified by the air force leadership, Skardu was prominent. The military command gave the necessary approvals for the mission to proceed against Skardu.

Weather Interference and Shift to Bholari

Despite the strategic planning and the formal approvals being in place, the mission encountered an unforeseen obstacle in the form of nature. General Chauhan explained that shortly after the approval was granted, the weather conditions in the Skardu region deteriorated Notably. The poor visibility and atmospheric conditions made it unfeasible to carry out the strike as planned. Consequently, the Indian forces had to change their course of action and redirect their focus. Instead of Skardu, the mission was diverted toward Bholari to ensure the operational objectives were met despite the weather-induced change in plans.

Clarification on Kirana Hills and Nuclear Facilities

During his address, General Anil Chauhan also took the opportunity to clarify long-standing questions regarding the targeting of Kirana Hills, while this area is often associated with Pakistan's nuclear facilities. General Chauhan stated clearly that the Indian military didn't target Kirana Hills. He expressed his support for the statements made by Air Marshal AK Bharti, who served as the Director General of Air Operations (DGAO) at the time. Air Marshal Bharti had previously stated on 12 May last year that the Indian forces didn't attack Kirana Hills or any facilities located there. General Chauhan emphasized that Bharti's assessment was correct and that the military had maintained a specific focus that excluded the nuclear-linked site.

The Role of Loitering Munitions Near Sargodha

To provide further context on why there might have been confusion regarding Kirana Hills, General Chauhan explained the deployment of loitering munitions. He noted that prior to the strikes, the Indian military had deployed several loitering munitions toward Sargodha. Kirana Hills is situated approximately 10 kilometers north of Sargodha. General Chauhan explained the technical nature of these weapons, stating that loitering munitions are designed to search for specific targets, such as radars, in and around a designated area like Sargodha. These munitions have a specific endurance time, meaning they can circle in the air for about two hours, while if the munition doesn't find its intended target within that timeframe, it's programmed to come down and impact a location. This technical explanation clarified the military activity observed in the vicinity of Sargodha and Kirana Hills during the operation.