Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has said that Operation Sindoor compelled Pakistan to hurriedly undertake constitutional amendments, acknowledging that the operation did not go well for the neighbouring country.
Speaking at the Pune Public Policy Festival on Friday, General Chauhan said the changes made by Pakistan revealed shortcomings and deficiencies identified during the operation, which he added is only on pause.
He said these developments were of particular importance to India and its armed forces.
General Chauhan said the amendment to Article 243 of the Constitution of Pakistan brought significant changes to that country’s higher defence organisation.
He noted that the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee had been abolished and replaced with the post of Chief of Defence Forces. However, he said Pakistan had stated that the post could be created only by the Chief of Army Staff, which he said goes against the principle of jointness.
He also pointed to the creation of a National Strategy Command and an Army Rocket Forces Command, saying these changes concentrate power and may strengthen Pakistan’s conventional and strategic capabilities. He said the Army Chief would now oversee land operations, joint operations through the CDF, and strategic and nuclear matters, reflecting a land-centric approach.
General Chauhan said several operational lessons, especially related to higher defence organisation, needed to be incorporated after Operation Sindoor. Referring to past operations such as the Uri surgical strikes, the Doklam and Galwan standoffs, the Balakot air strike, and Operation Sindoor, he said the Indian armed forces had often relied on innovative command arrangements.
He added that India is now working towards a standardised system applicable across all contingencies. On the proposed joint theatre commands, he said the government has extended the deadline for completing the exercise to May 30, 2026, though efforts are underway to complete it earlier.