Operation Sindoor Exposed Pakistan’s Failures, Forced Constitutional Changes: Defence Chief

India’s Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan has said that Pakistan’s recent constitutional amendments were a direct response to shortcomings exposed during Operation Sindoor, asserting that the neighbouring country was forced to hurriedly restructure its defence command system after the operation did not go as planned.

Speaking at the Pune Public Policy Festival, General Chauhan said the changes introduced in Pakistan’s Constitution reflect an admission that serious deficiencies were revealed during the operation. According to him, the speed with which the amendments were pushed through indicates that Pakistan’s military leadership recognised internal structural failures and moved quickly to consolidate authority.

Referring to amendments made to Article 243 of Pakistan’s Constitution, the CDS explained that the country has significantly altered its higher defence organisation. One of the most notable changes is the removal of the post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, a role originally meant to promote coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In its place, Pakistan has created the position of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

However, General Chauhan pointed out a fundamental flaw in this restructuring. He said the CDF post can only be appointed by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, which undermines the very principle of jointness the position is supposed to uphold. According to him, instead of promoting balanced integration among services, the changes effectively centralise power within the army leadership.

Pakistan has also established a National Strategy Command and an Army Rocket Forces Command. From both conventional and strategic perspectives, these additions may enhance certain capabilities, but Chauhan said they also reflect a land-centric military mindset. Under the new structure, the Army Chief will oversee land operations, joint operations involving the Navy and Air Force through the CDF, and strategic and nuclear responsibilities as well.

The CDS said this concentration of authority highlights how Pakistan responded to the operational stress revealed during Operation Sindoor. He linked these developments to broader lessons drawn from past India–Pakistan and India–China military engagements, including the Uri surgical strikes, the Balakot air strike, and the Doklam and Galwan standoffs.

For India, Chauhan said these experiences have reinforced the need for a robust and flexible higher defence organisation. He noted that India is actively working to standardise command and control structures across different operational scenarios. On the proposed joint theatre commands, he said the Union government has extended the timeline for completing the exercise until May 30, 2026, though the armed forces aim to implement the framework well before the deadline.

Highlighting the strategic dimension, Chauhan clarified that strategic forces primarily refer to nuclear capabilities and deterrence. He said India’s focus remains on building a command system that is both adaptable and standardised, capable of responding effectively to conventional conflicts as well as nuclear contingencies.

Concluding his remarks, the CDS said that Operation Sindoor should be viewed as a pause rather than a closed chapter. He emphasised that lessons from the operation continue to inform India’s defence planning, operational readiness, and evolution of higher command structures in an increasingly complex security environment.