During Operation Sindoor, India confronted not just Pakistan but also China and Turkey, a top Army general revealed. The four-day clash, which occurred from May 7 to May 10, showcased real-time military coordination between Islamabad and Beijing and underscored growing Turkish military support to Pakistan.
Lt General Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), said, “Pakistan was the front face. We had China providing all possible support… Turkey also played a very important role in providing the type of support that was there.”
China Treated Conflict as a ‘Live Lab’
General Singh accused Beijing of using the confrontation as an experimental battlefield to assess how its weapons, supplied to Pakistan, performed under real combat conditions. He pointed out that nearly 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware now comes from China.
“China, of course, (used) the good old dictum ‘kill by a borrowed knife’… So he would rather use the neighbour to cause pain, rather than getting involved in the mud-slinging match on the northern borders,” Singh added.
Pakistan’s Ceasefire Call Due to Hidden Indian Strike
Singh explained that Pakistan requested a ceasefire not only after India’s May 10 morning strikes but also because it sensed a massive counterstrike was imminent.
“There was a punch that was ready, and they realised that the hidden punch, in case it comes through, Pakistan would be in a very, very bad condition,” Singh said, likely referencing India’s readiness for further escalation.
Real-Time Intelligence Shared by China
In a significant disclosure, Singh revealed that China had provided Islamabad with real-time intelligence during the confrontation.
“Pakistan was actually mentioning that ‘we know that your such and such important vector is primed and ready for action and I would request you to perhaps pull it back.’ So he was getting live inputs from China,” he said.
This marks the first formal confirmation from India of direct, operational coordination between China and Pakistan during the skirmish.
Turkish Drones Featured in Pakistan’s Arsenal
Singh also detailed the Turkish military support received by Pakistan, including the deployment of Turkish drones during the conflict.
“Bayraktar (drones), of course, he (Turkey) has been giving (to Pakistan) from before. We saw numerous other drones also coming in, landing in the face of war, during the war, along with trained sort of individuals who were there,” Singh said.
Operation Sindoor: A Response to Terror
India launched Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The operation involved strikes on nine military and terror installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The confrontation involved fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery before ending with a ceasefire on May 10.
India’s Strategic Messaging Clear, Says Singh
According to Singh, the operation also marked a new phase of India’s strategic clarity.
“You cross the redlines and there will be action. There would be punitive action if required. There is no scope of absorbing the pain the way we did a few years ago,” he said.
He emphasised that stopping the war at the right time was a calculated move by the Indian leadership.
“An important consideration was that we should always be on top of the escalation ladder. When we reach a political military objective, we should try and put a stop to it… I would say that was a masterstroke to stop the war,” Singh stated.
Opposition Demands Parliament Debate on China
In response to Singh’s comments, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh reiterated the demand for a parliamentary debate on India-China relations.
“Lt Gen Singh has revealed some details of the extraordinary ways by which China helped the Pakistan Air Force… The Modi government has consistently refused to have such a debate,” Ramesh said.
He added that the Congress would raise the issue in the upcoming monsoon session, stressing the need for a united national response to the challenge posed by China.
Preparing for Future Escalations
Singh warned that future confrontations might target civilian centres as well. He stressed the need for accelerated development of air defence systems and counter-drone capabilities.
“For that, more and more air defence, more and more counter rocket artillery, drone sort of a system has to be prepared for which we have to move very fast,” he said.