Operation Sindoor Forced Pakistan to Change Constitution: CDS
Gen Anil Chauhan Says Joint Theatre Command Reforms Near Final Stage
- CDS says Pakistan amended its Constitution after Operation Sindoor
- Claims changes admit shortcomings during the operation
- India’s joint theatre commands likely before May 2026 deadline
- New command structures aim to standardise future military responses
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 10th Jan: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Saturday said Pakistan was compelled to introduce hurried constitutional amendments following Operation Sindoor, calling it an acknowledgement that “things did not go well” for the neighbouring country during the operation.
Addressing the Pune Public Policy Festival, the CDS said the changes introduced by Pakistan revealed shortcomings and deficiencies exposed by the operation, adding that Operation Sindoor is “only on pause”.
“The changes which have been brought about in Pakistan, including the constitutional amendment done hurriedly, are actually an acknowledgement of the fact that everything didn’t go well for them in this operation,” Gen Chauhan said.
Referring to amendments to Article 243 of Pakistan’s Constitution, he said these had led to major changes in that country’s higher defence organisation. One of the key changes, he noted, was the abolition of the post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, which was replaced by the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
However, he pointed out that Pakistan has stated the CDF can be appointed only by the Chief of Army Staff, which, he said, runs contrary to the principle of jointness among the three services.
Another major change, Gen Chauhan said, was the creation of a National Strategy Command and a Rocket Forces Command, effectively centralising military power. He said the Army Chief would now oversee land operations, joint operations through the CDF, as well as strategic and nuclear matters, reflecting what he described as a land-centric approach.
“These are essentially structural changes concentrating power,” he said, adding that “strategic forces” primarily refer to nuclear forces.
On India’s own defence reforms, the CDS said the Union government has extended the deadline for setting up joint theatre commands to May 30, 2026, but the armed forces are working to put the structure in place much earlier. Calling it one of his key responsibilities, he said the process is now in its final stages.
Drawing on experiences from the Uri surgical strikes, Doklam and Galwan standoffs, the Balakot air strike and Operation Sindoor, Gen Chauhan said India has often relied on innovative, situation-specific command arrangements. “What we are now working towards is evolving a standardised system that will be applicable across all contingencies,” he said.
