Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, has stressed that conflicts should never be prolonged to satisfy egos and urged the world to take lessons from India&rsquo;s conflict management approach. 
Speaking at an event on Friday, he reflected on Operation Sindoor, the limited military campaign launched in May against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The operation followed the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. 
Over four days, India and Pakistan exchanged drone and missile strikes until Pakistan&rsquo;s Director General of Military Operations reached out for a ceasefire. 
Singh said Indian forces ended hostilities as the mission&rsquo;s key objective&mdash;dismantling terrorist networks&mdash;had been achieved.
He noted that despite calls for continuing the conflict, India&rsquo;s leadership made a deliberate choice to stop. 
Prolonging wars, Singh warned, carries heavy consequences, citing examples like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict. 
Extending military action unnecessarily, he added, harms preparedness and burdens the economy.
According to Singh, India&rsquo;s swift decision to start and end Operation Sindoor sets a global example of how conflicts can be managed effectively. 
He cautioned against letting egos dictate warfare, as this often shifts objectives and fuels prolonged bloodshed.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan also underlined that strikes during Operation Sindoor were carried out at night to minimise civilian casualties. 
He clarified that the campaign has been paused, not ended, with Indian forces ready to respond if Pakistan attempts further aggression.

AP Singh cites Operation Sindoor, warns prolonged wars drain readiness and economy

India’s Air Chief: Wars Not for Egos

AP Singh cites Operation Sindoor, warns prolonged wars drain readiness and economy

September 19, 2025 | 17:22 IST