Long-range precision hits had psychological impact on Pakistan: CDS

NEW DELHI: Long-range precision strikes during the cross-border hostilities in May caused "a huge psychological impact" in Pakistan, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan said on Tuesday, reiterating that Operation Sindoor had not yet been called off.

The CDS emphasised the need to adapt swiftly to disruptive technologies, rethink legacy structures and prioritise synergy across the Army, Navy and IAF to tackle the challenges emanating from the constantly evolving nature of warfare. "War and politics are closely related. Wars are often fought to achieve political purposes. Today, we see very short, precise wars - like in Operation Sindoor - where political goals are achieved through rapid and targeted action," the CDS said at the inaugural edition of the Annual Trident Lecture Series organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies.

Noting that "domination" through impact and effect is the new norm, the CDS said Operation Sindoor was not undertaken to capture territory or prisoners of war. "There were very long-range precision strikes (at selected targets). The impact was important. Physical was less, but the psychological impact was much more. (India) could hit very, very deep inside with precision," he said.

"It created a huge impact psychologically, displaying sophistication and superiority. This is the matrix of victory today, it has nothing to do with territory. This is how domination is changing," he added.

In keeping with the "new norms" laid down by the govt, the CDS said the Indian armed forces need to maintain "a very high order" of operational preparedness around-the-clock. Cross-border terrorism will get the appropriate response from India and terrorists can no longer find safe haven within Pakistan, he said.