Overview
- General Anil Chauhan said Pakistan’s abolition of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and creation of a Chief of Defence Forces, a National Strategy Command, and an Army Rocket Forces Command indicate deficiencies exposed by Operation Sindoor.
- He cautioned that empowering a CDF reportedly appointed by the Army Chief concentrates land, joint and strategic authority and runs against the principle of jointness.
- The CDS described the restructured architecture as reflecting a land‑centric mindset and warned that such centralisation could create internal challenges within Pakistan’s system.
- He confirmed the Indian government’s extension to complete joint theatre commands by May 30, 2026, while stating the armed forces aim to implement the framework earlier and that work is in final stages.
- He noted Operation Sindoor is paused, not concluded, and said the armed forces are establishing a near‑real‑time mechanism to counter fake news after gaps were evident during the operation.