Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, speaking at the Indian Army's annual press conference on January 13, 2026, detailed the key factors that compelled Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The brief but intense military operation was India's calibrated response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in an apparent attempt to incite communal violence. India launched the strikes on May 7, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), emphasizing precision to minimize civilian casualties.

Operation Sindoor unfolded over approximately 88 hours, involving tri-service coordination among the Army, Air Force, and Navy. It began with swift missile and air strikes that dismantled key terror camps, reportedly killing over 100 terrorists. Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Indian military targets, prompting India to expand its response to hit Pakistani airfields, command centers, and other strategic assets. General Dwivedi described the operation as a prime example of seamless synergy under clear political directives, with the armed forces granted full operational freedom to act decisively. On the morning of May 10, 2025, the three services received explicit orders to prepare for potential escalation, underscoring India's readiness for broader action if needed.

The army chief highlighted two critical turning points that disrupted Pakistan's decision-making and led to its request for a ceasefire. The first was the initial 22-minute precision strike on terror targets on May 7, which bewildered Pakistan's command structure and paralyzed its response cycle. The second involved the subsequent orchestration of sustained pressure, including the destruction of Pakistani military infrastructure, which reset strategic assumptions and punctured Islamabad's longstanding nuclear rhetoric. These developments demonstrated that conventional operations remained viable without immediate nuclear escalation, contrary to earlier assessments of shrinking space for such actions.

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By the afternoon of May 10, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart, leading to an agreement to halt all firing and military actions on land, air, and sea effective from 1700 hours IST. General Dwivedi emphasized that India was fully mobilized and prepared for ground operations had Pakistan committed any further missteps. He reiterated that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing in spirit, serving as a warning that future provocations or support for terrorism would be met with resolute and effective responses.

The operation has since been viewed as a strategic success in reshaping deterrence dynamics, establishing a new threshold for India's counter-terrorism posture against Pakistan-based threats. It highlighted advancements in precision warfare, tri-service integration, and political resolve, while reinforcing the message that terror and talks cannot coexist. As the situation along the western front and in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive but under control, the lessons from Operation Sindoor continue to inform India's preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges.

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