Anil Chauhan's remarks on Operation Sindoor spark political controversy

Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has made remarks regarding Operation Sindoor that have drawn criticism from the Congress party and shifted the official narrative regarding military actions near Pakistan's nuclear-linked infrastructure.

Speaking at the Vivekananda International Foundation, Chauhan revealed that an Indian loitering munition likely struck Kirana Hills near Sargodha, Pakistan. This disclosure contradicts the Indian government's May 2025 position, where officials, including then-Air Marshal AK Bharti, denied any strikes on the area to avoid implications regarding nuclear installations. While the IAEA previously ruled out radiation leaks following the conflict, Chauhan’s admission that a munition “must have come and hit one of those hills” marks a significant reversal of the earlier denial.

In response, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned the consistency of military disclosures. Ramesh highlighted a discrepancy between Chauhan’s recent comments and 2025 remarks by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Rahul Singh, who had described a deep “Pakistan-China jugalbandi” during the conflict. Ramesh accused the Modi government of attempting to “change the narrative” and questioned whether the administration is pursuing a policy of “calibrated capitulation to China.”