WEBVTT 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:27.440 align:center I had during my time as corps commander flown over the place. 00:00:29.080 --> 00:00:33.120 align:center My daughter had also recently spoken about Baisaran. 00:00:35.680 --> 00:00:36.840 align:center It's a beautiful meadow 00:00:37.360 --> 00:00:39.320 align:center and it's very popular with tourists. 00:00:39.720 --> 00:00:42.280 align:center (SOMBER MUSIC) 00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:54.599 align:center I was the Director General of Military Operations 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:56.080 align:center during Operation Sindoor. 00:00:57.600 --> 00:00:59.440 align:center The DGMO is the fulcrum 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:02.560 align:center of all operational activity in the Indian Army. 00:01:03.080 --> 00:01:05.920 align:center A key person within Army Headquarters 00:01:06.360 --> 00:01:09.800 align:center to keep a 24/7-365 watch 00:01:10.240 --> 00:01:14.320 align:center on all operational activity happening on any border 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:16.400 align:center or even within the country. 00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:20.440 align:center And he is then in a position to actually crystal gaze 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:22.960 align:center and look ahead as to how operations will unfold. 00:01:28.960 --> 00:01:30.360 align:center It was a routine day. 00:01:30.960 --> 00:01:37.080 align:center The first call that I got was from the corps commander in Kashmir. 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:46.720 align:center He told me that there was something happening in Baisaran. 00:01:50.240 --> 00:01:53.080 align:center Because you've been through incidents like that, 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:54.840 align:center I knew the ring was different. 00:01:55.280 --> 00:02:01.280 align:center I knew that I had to walk up to the Chief of Army Staff and inform him. 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:05.360 align:center I have been in uniform for 40 years plus. 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:08.800 align:center So the decision making is concerned, it's part of my blood. 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:11.719 align:center On that fateful day of 22nd April, 00:02:11.720 --> 00:02:14.960 align:center I was presiding over the Retiring Officer's Seminar. 00:02:18.800 --> 00:02:21.280 align:center I remember taking that short walk 00:02:21.480 --> 00:02:23.800 align:center from the Military Operations Directorate 00:02:30.920 --> 00:02:33.840 align:center to where the Veteran Officer's Seminar was being held. 00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:41.000 align:center So when I was giving the talk, I suddenly realized 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:44.200 align:center General Ghai, my DGMO, entered the room. 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:48.440 align:center He had a very serious face and he walked up to the podium, 00:02:48.880 --> 00:02:51.720 align:center put the hand on the mic and whispered, 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:54.200 align:center Sir, there has been a terrorist attack. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:07.640 align:center I received a call from the helpline. 00:03:08.200 --> 00:03:11.160 align:center This lady was speaking on the other side. 00:03:11.720 --> 00:03:13.240 align:center She said, I am Himanshi. 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:16.839 align:center And there was a lot of panic and anger 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:20.680 align:center mixed kind of tone that she was showing. 00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:23.120 align:center She said that my husband has been shot. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:29.080 align:center Himanshi is the wife of late Lieutenant Vinay Narwal of Navy 00:03:29.200 --> 00:03:31.520 align:center who was there in Baisaran that day. 00:03:31.880 --> 00:03:33.680 align:center (SCREAMS) 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:35.680 align:center (GUNSHOTS) 00:03:40.440 --> 00:03:43.480 align:center We had asked the unit which was nearby to go to the incident site 00:03:43.600 --> 00:03:45.680 align:center with the quick reaction teams that we have. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:48.520 align:center (SIREN WAILING) 00:03:52.600 --> 00:03:54.640 align:center So first one to react was my company commander. 00:03:54.760 --> 00:03:57.120 align:center I told him, just rush to the location. 00:03:57.360 --> 00:03:59.960 align:center Next five minutes, I was also out. 00:04:03.640 --> 00:04:06.680 align:center I was in communication with the CO who was moving in. 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:09.600 align:center It was still 30 to 35 minutes away. 00:04:09.720 --> 00:04:11.559 align:center That was a little frustrating moment. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:14.840 align:center From Pahalgam reaching Baisaran, there is no metal road. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:16.400 align:center So you just have to walk. 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:21.920 align:center It's a walk of somewhere around 30 to 40 minutes. 00:04:22.400 --> 00:04:25.040 align:center And whatever the chatter we were picking, 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:27.680 align:center when we were climbing up by the porters and local guides, 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:30.040 align:center they were saying it was a cold-blooded murder. 00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:36.160 align:center The ground situation was basically there were dead bodies all around. 00:04:47.200 --> 00:04:49.360 align:center It wasn't a normal terror attack. 00:04:50.040 --> 00:04:53.560 align:center In my opinion, it was a kind of an execution which was taking place 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:55.480 align:center where victims were segregated, 00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:57.280 align:center they were taken apart, 00:04:57.400 --> 00:04:59.360 align:center sorted on the base of their religion 00:04:59.960 --> 00:05:03.120 align:center and mercilessly in cold blood executed 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:04.760 align:center right in front of their families. 00:05:05.760 --> 00:05:09.320 align:center The first images and videos started trickling 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:12.200 align:center from the first responders who had reached there. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:19.640 align:center In my life, I have never seen the kind of barbarity that was so gory. 00:05:28.200 --> 00:05:31.000 align:center These civilians had been killed in cold blood 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:34.360 align:center with automatic weapons such as AK-47s. 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:37.039 align:center Earlier attacks were indiscriminate. 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:39.160 align:center They killed anybody who came in front of them. 00:05:39.280 --> 00:05:42.160 align:center Here they segregated Hindus and Muslims, 00:05:42.400 --> 00:05:44.880 align:center and killed Hindu men. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:47.800 align:center I don't express it. 00:05:48.400 --> 00:05:50.200 align:center I'm an emotional man at some level. 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:52.280 align:center I really felt very bad. 00:05:52.400 --> 00:05:56.320 align:center I felt very sad that this young couple must have thought, 00:05:56.520 --> 00:05:58.320 align:center must have planned, packed their things, 00:05:58.440 --> 00:06:00.080 align:center will go to Pahalgam, come back, 00:06:00.320 --> 00:06:02.480 align:center and the wife is sitting, and they are telling, 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:04.160 align:center KI JAKE MODI KO BOL DO, (Go tell Modi...) 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:05.960 align:center JO KAR KAR SAKTA HAI KAR LE. (Do whatever you can) 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:08.560 align:center So like I think all citizens of the country, 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:11.120 align:center we were actually hit by the brutality of this attack. 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:13.080 align:center I think it was most barbaric. 00:06:16.960 --> 00:06:18.240 align:center We will go after them. 00:06:18.360 --> 00:06:19.800 align:center Whether on the ground, in the sky, 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:21.560 align:center or deep underground, wherever they are. 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:23.120 align:center We will not forgive. 00:06:28.480 --> 00:06:32.840 align:center Any act of terror will be considered as an act of war. 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:40.960 align:center If there is even escalation to this particular conflict, so be it. 00:06:42.760 --> 00:06:46.080 align:center And then we went into full-fledged war mode I would say. 00:06:49.440 --> 00:06:54.160 align:center Prime Minister told me that we should call it Operation Sindoor. 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:01.960 align:center We were ready and our fingers were on the trigger. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:06.719 align:center And nothing stopped us and we were no holds barred. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:09.000 align:center All the officers and men were fully motivated. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:10.880 align:center (GUNSHOTS) 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:13.760 align:center The entire nation's hope rested on us. 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:19.320 align:center We will unfold it like a good movie. 00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:22.440 align:center So, the Prime Minister said, 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.840 align:center waha se goli... (if they'll fire bullets...) 00:07:23.960 --> 00:07:25.520 align:center yaha se gola. (...we will drop bombs) 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:47.959 align:center Fortnight before the Pahalgam attack, 00:07:47.960 --> 00:07:52.760 align:center Asim Munir was actually provoking kind of terrorist organizations 00:07:52.880 --> 00:07:56.000 align:center into attacking India or carrying out some terrorist attack. 00:07:56.400 --> 00:08:00.399 align:center During his speech to non-resident Pakistanis and investors, 00:08:00.400 --> 00:08:02.520 align:center he said that we are two different people; 00:08:02.640 --> 00:08:03.719 align:center we are not one people. 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:07.360 align:center We have a different culture, we have a different tradition 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:10.360 align:center and India and Pakistan have nothing in common 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:13.280 align:center and we come from two different religions, 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.080 align:center and a very provocative speech basically, 00:08:16.200 --> 00:08:18.479 align:center which was like a dog whistle 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:22.039 align:center to the terrorist groups and the elements in ISI. 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:27.320 align:center This was a very well planned, well thought out and deliberate attack 00:08:27.440 --> 00:08:31.799 align:center designed for two or three intentions or outcomes from that. 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:35.040 align:center And they were one, create communal divide in India. 00:08:35.160 --> 00:08:40.040 align:center Two, hit the booming tourism economy in Jammu and Kashmir. 00:08:40.160 --> 00:08:42.280 align:center And three, by doing that 00:08:42.720 --> 00:08:46.240 align:center try and get more local recruits from Jammu and Kashmir. 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:53.880 align:center Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Saudi Arabia on a visit. 00:08:56.920 --> 00:08:57.960 align:center He had left that morning. 00:08:58.280 --> 00:09:00.720 align:center And the attack actually simultaneously happened 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:03.520 align:center as he was about to land in Riyadh. 00:09:03.640 --> 00:09:05.359 align:center The moment the Prime Minister landed, 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:07.480 align:center somebody from the SPG 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:10.479 align:center went up to him and whispered into his ear something. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:12.639 align:center So the Prime Minister vanished from public view. 00:09:12.640 --> 00:09:14.240 align:center When I went to the Prime Minister, 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:16.480 align:center actually he had already known about it, 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:18.680 align:center and I found him quite serious. 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:20.600 align:center Normally he has got a lot of calm, 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:24.480 align:center and under difficult circumstances, I have never seen him ruffled up. 00:09:24.880 --> 00:09:25.840 align:center But he said 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:27.480 align:center YE BURA HUA HAI... (What has happened is terrible) 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:30.399 align:center ISKA PRATIKAR KARNA PADEGA. (this cannot go unanswered). 00:09:30.400 --> 00:09:35.280 align:center We will have to take suitable and proportionate actions. 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:40.280 align:center So he had his meeting with the Saudi Prince Muhammad bin Salman. 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:43.719 align:center And immediately the Prime Minister and his delegation 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:45.160 align:center headed back to Delhi. 00:09:52.800 --> 00:09:54.160 align:center Prime Minister returned. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.040 align:center Foreign Secretary had come to receive him. 00:09:57.520 --> 00:09:59.720 align:center Then at the airport itself we had a meeting. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:02.400 align:center First he wanted to know all the facts. 00:10:02.920 --> 00:10:04.840 align:center And then his first question to me is, 00:10:05.400 --> 00:10:06.240 align:center who has done it? 00:10:06.640 --> 00:10:07.640 align:center Who is responsible? 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:11.200 align:center We should be very clear who the perpetrators are. 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.560 align:center I wanted immediately, 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:15.000 align:center thanks to our intelligence agencies, 00:10:15.160 --> 00:10:17.080 align:center I think they did a brilliant job, 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.920 align:center and within a very short time, 00:10:19.920 --> 00:10:23.199 align:center we were able to arrive at the conclusion, 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:27.160 align:center mainly because of the equipment that they had left at the site, 00:10:27.640 --> 00:10:29.399 align:center which was the communication equipment, 00:10:29.400 --> 00:10:31.960 align:center which carried the route that they had tracked, 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:35.880 align:center also carried their communications with their mentors in Pakistan, 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:38.520 align:center and also their communications amongst themselves. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:41.840 align:center So it was very clear that they were Pakistanis. 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:46.040 align:center So, I thought that we must go for proactive deterrence. 00:10:46.160 --> 00:10:48.520 align:center And I could make out that the Prime Minister's mind 00:10:48.640 --> 00:10:52.200 align:center was also that we have got to go for a proactive deterrence. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:54.200 align:center 90% of the fog was over with that. 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:57.520 align:center After that, it's a question of what is that we can do. 00:10:58.160 --> 00:11:00.120 align:center On this matter, when you decide, 00:11:00.400 --> 00:11:05.720 align:center you first decide that what are the enemy's expectations from you. 00:11:06.400 --> 00:11:08.120 align:center So, my way of thinking has always been, 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:11.080 align:center never do what the enemy expects you to do. 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:13.120 align:center That is the element of surprise. 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:16.800 align:center If you have to win, you have to take risks in life. 00:11:17.400 --> 00:11:19.680 align:center Without taking a risk, you will never win. 00:11:21.160 --> 00:11:23.480 align:center NSA called me very early in the morning. 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:26.520 align:center He had just returned from Saudi Arabia 00:11:26.640 --> 00:11:29.200 align:center and he said that you know we need to plan things. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:31.200 align:center And by that time, honourable Raksha Mantri 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:32.720 align:center had also called for a meeting. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:39.080 align:center So clearly the ball had been set rolling. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:44.320 align:center The most important meeting was held by the honourable Prime Minister 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:48.959 align:center in which Raksha Mantri, NSA, 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:51.360 align:center the three service chiefs and myself were present. 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:58.080 align:center We met the PM when he called for a meeting 00:11:58.200 --> 00:12:01.560 align:center and he decided that this time, whatever we do, 00:12:01.800 --> 00:12:06.440 align:center it has to be big and impactful and it must teach them their lessons. 00:12:06.560 --> 00:12:08.240 align:center You know for any military man, 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:10.360 align:center when the time comes and you know that 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.640 align:center this is the time to prove our worth, 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:16.840 align:center you suddenly start getting that adrenaline rush 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:19.400 align:center and you start feeling, you know, 00:12:19.520 --> 00:12:22.200 align:center maybe this was the time you wore your uniform for. 00:12:22.400 --> 00:12:24.280 align:center Immediately, that evening 00:12:24.400 --> 00:12:26.720 align:center after the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:29.679 align:center it was decided by India to scrap 00:12:29.680 --> 00:12:33.440 align:center the long-standing Indus Water Treaty of 1960. 00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:36.760 align:center Terror and talks, 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:40.280 align:center cannot go together. 00:12:41.080 --> 00:12:43.360 align:center Terror and trade 00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:46.840 align:center cannot go hand in hand, 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:52.040 align:center and water and blood 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:55.760 align:center cannot flow together. 00:12:56.280 --> 00:12:58.800 align:center And withdrawing the Indus water treaty, 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:01.040 align:center which had survived three wars 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:05.000 align:center and had never been discussed or considered as an option 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:08.120 align:center despite the fact that it was a one-sided treaty 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:10.120 align:center completely in favour of Pakistan. 00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:15.040 align:center I say to the whole world. 00:13:15.240 --> 00:13:21.440 align:center India will identify, trace 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:29.440 align:center and punish every terrorist and their backer. 00:13:30.520 --> 00:13:32.560 align:center We will pursue them 00:13:34.160 --> 00:13:36.080 align:center to the ends of the earth. 00:13:37.920 --> 00:13:41.840 align:center India s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. 00:13:43.640 --> 00:13:48.200 align:center Terrorism will not go unpunished. 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:54.640 align:center Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:59.120 align:center The entire nation is firm in this resolve. 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:06.560 align:center Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:10.520 align:center I thank the people of various countries 00:14:11.520 --> 00:14:17.680 align:center and their leaders who have stood with us in these times. 00:14:19.920 --> 00:14:22.280 align:center Honourable Prime Minister has made it very clear, 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:28.360 align:center any act of terror will be considered as an act of war. 00:14:36.760 --> 00:14:39.640 align:center I flew down to the Western Naval Command Headquarters. 00:14:43.400 --> 00:14:46.000 align:center The Eastern Naval Command units which were combat ready, 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:48.760 align:center they were just pushed out from Vishakhapatnam. 00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:51.520 align:center (DRAMATIC MUSIC) 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:56.600 align:center Then they joined on the Western seaboard 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.920 align:center and they became a part of this force. 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:04.079 align:center Within the 96 hours of that terrorist attack, 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:07.400 align:center we had carried out a large number of weapon firings. 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:19.920 align:center I called for a conference of 00:15:20.040 --> 00:15:22.800 align:center Vice-Chief, DGMO, DGMI and ADG STRATCOM. 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:24.840 align:center What next? And what range? 00:15:25.160 --> 00:15:26.879 align:center These are the two things we wanted to discuss. 00:15:26.880 --> 00:15:30.480 align:center I had no doubt that we were in a situation 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:35.480 align:center where we would have to respond differently from times gone by 00:15:39.880 --> 00:15:44.719 align:center and we would need to make sure that we responded in a manner 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:49.360 align:center which very unambiguously gave out our intent 00:15:53.880 --> 00:15:57.680 align:center that we were not going to tolerate this or any form of terrorism. 00:16:02.640 --> 00:16:05.600 align:center Around 26th, we generally honed down 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:08.960 align:center to various terrorist targets which we can neutralise. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:15.040 align:center What the Prime Minister wanted was, 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:18.840 align:center it should not lead to any collateral damages to the civilian casualties. 00:16:19.640 --> 00:16:22.320 align:center Number two, we are not declaring a war against Pakistan. 00:16:22.920 --> 00:16:28.920 align:center Number three, we have got terrorists as the main culprits. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:33.920 align:center Especially in the initial few days selection of targets etc. 00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.840 align:center the accuracy of information 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:38.800 align:center was provided by the intelligence agencies. 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:42.760 align:center Largely done through the Office of National Security Advisor. 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:46.639 align:center So objectives that were decided were terrorist camps, 00:16:46.640 --> 00:16:48.240 align:center nothing more, nothing less. 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:53.080 align:center They came up with a rough list of about 34 targets. 00:16:54.320 --> 00:16:57.240 align:center The numbers were many but the important thing 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:00.600 align:center to decide was that how many would be enough 00:17:01.760 --> 00:17:03.600 align:center to send a stern message across. 00:17:08.520 --> 00:17:11.720 align:center And I was an integral part of that engine room. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.840 align:center Which was planning this operation. 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:18.080 align:center We were doing a daily 24-hour research 00:17:19.320 --> 00:17:23.680 align:center and evolving the intelligence that we had available on these targets. 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:27.960 align:center They evolved a matrix, 00:17:28.360 --> 00:17:34.560 align:center tabulated the whole target list into ease of targeting, 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:37.160 align:center line of sight, whether it is there, 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:39.560 align:center how many people are there, 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:42.920 align:center important people or important terrorist functionaries are there. 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:47.960 align:center And they had a scale from 0 to 5 for different parameters. 00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:51.079 align:center After evaluating their success possibility, 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:54.000 align:center after evaluating the deterrence effect 00:17:54.320 --> 00:17:55.760 align:center that the Prime Minister wanted, 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:59.120 align:center after ensuring that it will not lead to any collateral damage, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:02.760 align:center after ensuring that the message is loud and clear to the terrorists, 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:04.959 align:center as also their mentors and supporters. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:07.560 align:center Thereafter, we homed on to the 9 targets. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:13.200 align:center There were 5 targets in POJK 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:16.200 align:center and 4 targets in Pakistan. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:25.320 align:center The NSA went with the targets and the intention to the Prime Minister 00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:29.520 align:center saying there are these risks of retaliation from Pakistan 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:32.200 align:center because you are hitting the Pakistan-Punjab province 00:18:32.320 --> 00:18:37.000 align:center which was always seen or projected by Pakistan as a no-go area. 00:18:37.120 --> 00:18:39.000 align:center A red line, if crossed, 00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:43.040 align:center would invite nuclear retaliation or something catastrophic. 00:18:44.320 --> 00:18:45.920 align:center Now it's for you to sign off 00:18:46.040 --> 00:18:49.480 align:center whether we should do this or do something else. 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:54.400 align:center And the Prime Minister apparently said give me 10 to 12 hours. 00:18:58.800 --> 00:19:03.160 align:center And so on 30th, the Prime Minister signed off on this plan. 00:19:03.280 --> 00:19:05.720 align:center I was again called in the evening by the Prime Minister. 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:09.640 align:center He asked me "what is the name which has been given to the operation." 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:13.760 align:center I replied that it is Tulip Garden as of now 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:15.160 align:center because it has happened in valley. 00:19:18.120 --> 00:19:21.760 align:center He told me that we should call it Operation Sindhu. 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.920 align:center I said, sir, that's a very good name 00:19:24.040 --> 00:19:26.200 align:center because the Indus Water Treaty has been frozen. 00:19:26.360 --> 00:19:27.600 align:center So it relates to that. 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:30.840 align:center He said, no, it is Operation Sindoor. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.680 align:center KYUNKI UNHONE HUMARI MAHILON... (because they have widowed...) 00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:36.679 align:center KI MAANG KA SINDOOR UJADA HAI... (...our women,) 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:38.800 align:center AUR HUME USKA BADLA LENA HAI. (...and we have to avenge it.) 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.560 align:center Spontaneously came to my mind, 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.680 align:center this will unite the complete of India 00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:48.519 align:center and this is the first time all the three services 00:19:48.520 --> 00:19:50.760 align:center will be having a common operational name. 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:58.440 align:center We identified 9 targets finally. 00:19:59.120 --> 00:20:02.480 align:center Starting from the north, across the line of control, 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.120 align:center Syedna Bilal, 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:14.000 align:center Sawai Nala, 00:20:22.760 --> 00:20:23.520 align:center Kotli, 00:20:27.560 --> 00:20:28.560 align:center Gulpur, 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:32.000 align:center Bhimber, 00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.600 align:center Mehmoona Joya, 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.360 align:center Sarjal, 00:20:41.520 --> 00:20:43.320 align:center and of course, Bahawalpur 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:45.000 align:center and Muridke. 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:49.520 align:center These were all located at varying distances 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:53.120 align:center from the line of control or the international boundary. 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.720 align:center This was different. 00:20:56.280 --> 00:20:58.840 align:center You were taking the fight to the enemy. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:02.360 align:center Each building had to be studied in detail. 00:21:03.800 --> 00:21:05.240 align:center The composition of the building, 00:21:05.360 --> 00:21:06.880 align:center the construction of the building 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:09.960 align:center was to be matched with the weaponry which we are going to use. 00:21:10.320 --> 00:21:13.640 align:center Then, depending on the distance at which they were located 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:19.440 align:center and the weapon platform that was being utilized to eliminate those, 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:22.280 align:center it was decided that seven of the targets 00:21:23.040 --> 00:21:24.920 align:center would be engaged by the Indian Army 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:29.160 align:center and the remaining two at Bahawalpur and Muridke 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:31.440 align:center would be engaged by the Indian Air Force. 00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:37.280 align:center Air power is something we look at, you know, 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:39.880 align:center we will be likely the first responders. 00:21:40.280 --> 00:21:42.360 align:center And we were very sure about two things 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:46.279 align:center that the damage we would like to cause should be enough 00:21:46.280 --> 00:21:48.240 align:center to, you know, leave no ambiguity. 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:50.880 align:center The two targets we were given was Muridke 00:21:51.080 --> 00:21:54.840 align:center which is about 30 kilometers from the border closer to Lahore. 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:57.320 align:center One was Bahawalpur 00:21:57.560 --> 00:22:00.240 align:center which is almost about 100 kilometers from the border. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:03.160 align:center Both targets were symbolically very important 00:22:03.280 --> 00:22:05.280 align:center because this is the fountainhead of terrorism. 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:07.440 align:center Muridke was the headquarter of the LeT. 00:22:07.800 --> 00:22:09.600 align:center and Bahawalpur of Jaish-e-Mohammed. 00:22:09.760 --> 00:22:12.000 align:center So, it is like going into their house and hitting them. 00:22:12.280 --> 00:22:16.080 align:center And it is located within the city. 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:19.000 align:center So, the challenge was firstly, to strike deep 00:22:19.320 --> 00:22:23.519 align:center and also to ensure that there is no collateral damage. 00:22:23.520 --> 00:22:25.640 align:center There are a lot of people, a lot of families 00:22:25.760 --> 00:22:27.200 align:center who were staying around them 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:30.280 align:center because that's how the terrorists thrive. 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.760 align:center I think they choose their places accordingly 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:36.439 align:center so that they get this kind of first line of defense. 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:38.440 align:center And since the targets were big, 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:42.560 align:center that is why we decided together that Air Force will take on this target 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:45.200 align:center because we had to have the requisite weight of attack 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:48.640 align:center which Air Force could deliver at that distance 00:22:48.760 --> 00:22:51.040 align:center into the enemy territory with precision. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:55.760 align:center And then we set about putting our minds together to make the plan. 00:22:56.680 --> 00:23:00.440 align:center Some of us are born to be in crisis always. 00:23:00.760 --> 00:23:06.040 align:center I have dealt with multiple crises in these scenarios 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:08.560 align:center being posted in Northern Command so many times. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:11.880 align:center Northern Command motto is that it's forever in combat 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:16.760 align:center and you are always waiting for that adrenaline to be there flowing 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.760 align:center all the time. 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:21.120 align:center When this entire planning process was happening, 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:23.200 align:center indication to me was there from the Chief 00:23:23.320 --> 00:23:27.040 align:center that whenever it happens you will be taking over Northern Army. 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:31.280 align:center When this intense planning phase was on in the Army Headquarters 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:33.040 align:center and in the corridors of Delhi, 00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:37.000 align:center I was fully integrated into that. 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:39.280 align:center And I knew that I have to go. 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:43.640 align:center I was waiting for MS Branch to quickly issue this posting order 00:23:43.760 --> 00:23:47.080 align:center in black and white so that I can just grab that order and fly off. 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:52.360 align:center And I remember that particular day Chief had called everybody 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.520 align:center in the MO Ops room 00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:57.800 align:center and I as Deputy Chief strat everything was happening in my mind. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:00.280 align:center I was waiting for that thing to happen 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:02.800 align:center and suddenly somebody came from behind 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:08.160 align:center "Sir, your posting order in black and white is already out." 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:12.120 align:center I just got up from the chair and whatever conversation was happening 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:14.560 align:center I could not even register what was happening. 00:24:14.760 --> 00:24:16.920 align:center I got up and I requested Chief Sir 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:20.120 align:center can I be excused I want to take a flight within an hour, 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:22.080 align:center and he said go. 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:24.520 align:center (SIRENS WAILING) 00:24:25.920 --> 00:24:27.360 align:center When I reached Udhampur, 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:31.600 align:center I had to take care of what is the targeting matrix 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:35.520 align:center that if I have these seven camps to be targeted, 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:37.120 align:center how exactly will I do it, 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:39.440 align:center what are the vectors I will use 00:24:40.040 --> 00:24:44.360 align:center and also which are the areas within those targets 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:48.720 align:center which should come what may the precision strike must go there. 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:55.320 align:center I was to take over from first of May as the Vice Chief. 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:57.520 align:center So when I came in here 00:24:57.640 --> 00:25:00.640 align:center of course some of the planning had already started 00:25:00.760 --> 00:25:04.600 align:center in terms of putting the forces up in the requisite places, 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:09.760 align:center upping our air defence alert levels. 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:16.840 align:center And I was to move out as AOC-in-C South Western Air Command. 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:19.200 align:center I mean I hit the ground running I would say, 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:22.840 align:center and I was good to go from the day I landed there. 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:25.879 align:center So all that was required to be done was 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:28.960 align:center give a call to every station, 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:37.160 align:center and tell them to now keep the powder dry. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:42.120 align:center So the preparatory phase if I have to talk about, 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:45.200 align:center one was not sure how many days will I get 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.640 align:center because targeting had to happen, 00:25:47.760 --> 00:25:50.960 align:center one was not sure it was going to be within two days, within a day, 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:53.440 align:center within three days, one was not very sure. 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:58.280 align:center So in this preparatory phase each, and every minute 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:01.680 align:center which was there with me I was utilizing it very judiciously. 00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:11.560 align:center I wanted to ensure that the plans on the LoC are in place 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:18.480 align:center for all that entire steps of escalation I have my people in place 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:27.280 align:center I have my weapon, ammunition all stocked up, 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:32.640 align:center I had to cater for surprise. 00:26:36.760 --> 00:26:39.600 align:center People should not come to know that in what domain 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:41.280 align:center India is going to respond. 00:26:52.520 --> 00:26:54.160 align:center There were rehearsals happening, 00:26:57.360 --> 00:27:00.520 align:center people were rehearsing on their platforms 00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.560 align:center or the vector 00:27:07.080 --> 00:27:10.560 align:center or any particular ammunition that was going to be utilized. 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:13.000 align:center They were in the training areas, 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.840 align:center they were on the field firing ranges. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:23.960 align:center They knew that they would at some point in time 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:26.200 align:center be asked to get into action, 00:27:29.520 --> 00:27:31.520 align:center but they necessarily did not know 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:33.480 align:center as to where exactly they would be firing. 00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:40.959 align:center I had selected each and every commander 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:43.160 align:center for targeting of these camps. 00:27:44.280 --> 00:27:48.000 align:center I got them together we discussed that these are the targets, 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:49.320 align:center this is the planning. 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:52.680 align:center These are the vectors to be used within the target 00:27:52.800 --> 00:27:59.440 align:center which building, which area has to be struck, all that planning was done. 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:07.720 align:center And from 1st of May onwards these rehearsals intensified. 00:28:14.040 --> 00:28:16.840 align:center Routine activities at unit level were underway 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:19.160 align:center when I received the call from my commanding officer. 00:28:19.560 --> 00:28:21.440 align:center He was already in the operational area. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:25.240 align:center He asked me to move to command headquarters 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:29.120 align:center and got an initial brief of an impending task: 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:34.800 align:center battalion battle procedures were activated 00:28:36.760 --> 00:28:39.160 align:center and all special strike teams 00:28:39.280 --> 00:28:41.880 align:center they went on to carrying out their rehearsals. 00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:54.360 align:center In these kind of operations, terrain plays a major role. 00:28:55.760 --> 00:28:59.320 align:center So you need to study the terrain in that short time 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:02.640 align:center and as the terrain we see here is mountainous. 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:09.080 align:center So for the planning phase we did a lot of recce on and off the map. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.440 align:center Commanding officer of my regiment 00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:16.280 align:center he has called all the officers in his office, 00:29:16.520 --> 00:29:18.639 align:center and told that he has received the orders 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:22.920 align:center and one of our subunit has to air mobilise to an unspecified location. 00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:33.560 align:center The moment we reached airfield it is near about 2400 hours. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:44.360 align:center Next day in the morning we landed at the valley. 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:54.000 align:center We mobilised and reached our location 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:56.160 align:center from where we have finally carried out our mission. 00:29:57.160 --> 00:30:01.560 align:center For the next 4-5 days we have rehearsed improved our drills, 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:06.920 align:center and increasing our force protection measures. 00:30:09.320 --> 00:30:12.520 align:center All the directions were given for them to prepare. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.480 align:center Be ready. 00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:21.480 align:center There are very few people in the Air Force 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:23.960 align:center who were aware of specific information. 00:30:26.120 --> 00:30:28.920 align:center The units which had to do the planning were informed. 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:32.800 align:center So for that you need immense amount of planning 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:35.360 align:center because carrying out a strike into another nation 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.920 align:center is not a very easy job. 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:41.120 align:center So I personally started planning missions. 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:45.880 align:center I knew that whatever platform or whatever happens eventually 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:48.040 align:center we will always have to plan a strike. 00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:53.160 align:center We have simulated targets 00:30:53.280 --> 00:30:55.200 align:center and we practice these missions regularly 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:56.880 align:center in our routine training sorties. 00:30:58.520 --> 00:31:01.879 align:center So as a military aviator I think we had already started preparing 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:02.960 align:center from our side. 00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:07.160 align:center Because we knew that it might be a possibility 00:31:07.280 --> 00:31:09.440 align:center that some operation might have to be conducted. 00:31:11.520 --> 00:31:14.920 align:center So we knew that once we carry out the neutralisation of targets 00:31:15.280 --> 00:31:18.640 align:center Pakistan will also respond and they will respond heavily. 00:31:20.280 --> 00:31:22.400 align:center And we had to take that into consideration 00:31:22.520 --> 00:31:25.720 align:center because I knew for sure that come what may, 00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:29.640 align:center the moment this retaliation starts it is going to start from the LoC. 00:31:30.280 --> 00:31:33.320 align:center (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:41.480 align:center We had already war-gamed that 00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:48.800 align:center three, four levels beyond. 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:50.680 align:center So we were prepared for that. 00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:56.400 align:center I also wanted to ensure that my air defence 00:31:56.520 --> 00:31:59.960 align:center and electronic warfare grid is also in place. 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:03.520 align:center Just in case it's getting into drone warfare, 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:05.239 align:center I should have my grid in place. 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:07.920 align:center And for this I couldn't have done it on my own. 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:12.880 align:center I'm the Director General of Army Air Defence. 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:17.720 align:center The Army Air Defence looks after strategic and tactically important 00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:19.920 align:center installations in India. 00:32:20.040 --> 00:32:22.480 align:center The Air Force has something called the IACCS. 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:28.240 align:center And the Army Air Defence has something called 00:32:28.360 --> 00:32:29.840 align:center the Akashteer system. 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:33.480 align:center It's a totally indigenous system. 00:32:35.080 --> 00:32:38.520 align:center It's an outstanding control and reporting system. 00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:41.960 align:center It reports air threat and controls your weapon systems. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:48.000 align:center All our radars are networked into an integrated system. 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:54.839 align:center And the weapons which are also networked with this radar, 00:32:54.840 --> 00:32:57.280 align:center they are also integrated into this entire network. 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:08.440 align:center So it becomes like a giant mesh which covers the entire country. 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:14.600 align:center The latency of the Akashteer system from the IACCS 00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:18.640 align:center to the weapon end is two to three milliseconds. 00:33:18.760 --> 00:33:20.480 align:center I mean that's the capability that we have. 00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:25.480 align:center Because an air threat manifests in 18, 20, 30, 40 seconds. 00:33:28.040 --> 00:33:31.559 align:center I knew that this air defence is going to play a huge role 00:33:31.560 --> 00:33:33.960 align:center in deterring Pakistan from undertaking 00:33:34.080 --> 00:33:35.600 align:center one aspect of the retaliation 00:33:35.840 --> 00:33:37.840 align:center which is dealing with the airspace. 00:33:40.520 --> 00:33:43.000 align:center And I also wanted to ensure that there should be some kind of 00:33:43.120 --> 00:33:45.360 align:center an escalation matrix also should be worked out 00:33:45.520 --> 00:33:48.560 align:center in such a manner that firstly we should be dominating 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:50.520 align:center each and every ladder of escalation 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:52.600 align:center and secondly at every ladder, 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:56.480 align:center Pakistan must get an exit window in case he wants to take. 00:33:56.600 --> 00:34:01.400 align:center Pakistan carries out misinformation at industrial scale. 00:34:02.880 --> 00:34:05.880 align:center Denial, distortion, fabrication of facts 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:10.280 align:center is something which they have honed over a period of time. 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:14.840 align:center I came up with the idea that we require 00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:19.679 align:center credible real time visual imagery of the strikes taking place 00:34:19.680 --> 00:34:24.440 align:center and our quickly being able to put them out at the world stage 00:34:24.560 --> 00:34:27.960 align:center will destroy any scope for Pakistan to carry out 00:34:28.080 --> 00:34:30.280 align:center any kind of misinformation on that account. 00:34:30.760 --> 00:34:33.479 align:center The troops in ground will execute the task that has to be done, 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:36.760 align:center and it will be left for us the information warriors to be able to 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:38.440 align:center justify their actions to the world. 00:34:38.560 --> 00:34:42.720 align:center As part of our planning to be able to execute this in real time, 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:45.800 align:center I had nominated one officer per live screen, 00:34:45.920 --> 00:34:50.480 align:center whose job was to record the exact time of impact 00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:51.880 align:center at that particular target. 00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:57.880 align:center While nobody was saying that it has to be done tomorrow or day after, 00:34:58.080 --> 00:35:02.440 align:center but in our minds, we knew that we had selected the targets, 00:35:04.080 --> 00:35:06.160 align:center we had put the wherewithal into place 00:35:09.240 --> 00:35:11.400 align:center we had carried out operational rehearsals, 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:15.479 align:center now we needed to hone on to the time and the date. 00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:17.600 align:center To my people it was very clear that 00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:20.440 align:center every day they are getting is a day bonus, 00:35:20.640 --> 00:35:21.520 align:center keep preparing. 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:24.240 align:center When the time comes you need only that much time 00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:26.960 align:center so they were quite confident, quite relaxed, 00:35:27.080 --> 00:35:29.400 align:center calm, composed and very clear. 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:36.560 align:center So on 1st of May when I met Raksha Mantri 00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:39.160 align:center and thereafter he decided that it should be done 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:41.040 align:center on 7th of May early morning 00:35:41.160 --> 00:35:44.000 align:center between 0100 hours to 0200 hours. 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:46.320 align:center So my complete narrative was looking at 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:51.680 align:center that we should have rehearsals on 6th, 8th, 10th and final go on 12th. 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:54.960 align:center This way we were trying to make sure that nobody gets to know 00:35:55.080 --> 00:35:57.079 align:center that 7th is the date which has been chosen. 00:35:57.080 --> 00:36:00.920 align:center So surprise is a very big part of the whole game 00:36:01.040 --> 00:36:02.840 align:center while there is rhetoric also going on, 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:04.760 align:center but they don't know what is going to happen 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:06.440 align:center or what is the exact time, 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:09.240 align:center what is the exact targets that have been chosen 00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:10.920 align:center that is the major surprise. 00:36:11.320 --> 00:36:14.080 align:center So it was not communicated to me on telephone that 00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:17.400 align:center listen Pratik this is the day or this is the time 00:36:17.520 --> 00:36:19.000 align:center when targeting had to be done. 00:36:19.120 --> 00:36:22.440 align:center So a high state of surprise was to be maintained, 00:36:22.680 --> 00:36:24.120 align:center I had to send an officer, 00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:26.440 align:center a brigadier level officer he went to Delhi. 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:28.759 align:center Chief personally gave him a small paper. 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:30.360 align:center He told him don't open it, 00:36:30.640 --> 00:36:33.000 align:center you go and hand it over to the Army Commander, 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:37.400 align:center and he will open it by himself. 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:40.840 align:center So 6th afternoon I got the time 00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:42.640 align:center I had to keep it close to my heart. 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:54.080 align:center By the 6th morning, 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:57.519 align:center it was clear to us that we were going to engage 00:36:57.520 --> 00:37:00.120 align:center the targets that night. 00:37:05.560 --> 00:37:10.320 align:center And we homed on to the time as 01:05 in the early hours of the morning, 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:14.880 align:center Because that's the time when 00:37:15.240 --> 00:37:18.080 align:center the chances of you achieving surprise are the maximum. 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:21.200 align:center Because if you were to do, it let's say during the day, 00:37:21.600 --> 00:37:25.880 align:center you might find the people in those terror camps that you are hitting 00:37:26.120 --> 00:37:27.360 align:center or they could be out, 00:37:27.800 --> 00:37:29.240 align:center they could well be training, 00:37:29.640 --> 00:37:31.720 align:center and as we were getting closer to the strike 00:37:32.360 --> 00:37:34.800 align:center the military operations directorate itself 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:37.280 align:center was not aware that that was the night. 00:37:37.800 --> 00:37:41.440 align:center There was only one person there who was aware and that was me. 00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:46.120 align:center At a certain point in time after I had informed the army commanders, 00:37:46.520 --> 00:37:49.880 align:center I informed my own officers and staff 00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:52.240 align:center in the military operations directorate 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:53.680 align:center that tonight was the night. 00:37:53.800 --> 00:38:02.160 align:center The exact indication came not more than 7 hours prior to when we hit. 00:38:02.560 --> 00:38:05.200 align:center In the afternoon our commanding officer 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:06.680 align:center and flight commander had called us; 00:38:09.040 --> 00:38:10.360 align:center only the required number of people 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:12.360 align:center that were supposed to be there were present. 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:14.280 align:center We were told our targets, 00:38:15.160 --> 00:38:17.600 align:center the formation was decided instantly, 00:38:17.720 --> 00:38:21.360 align:center the package was selected and we were told to get on to mission planning. 00:38:21.680 --> 00:38:24.760 align:center So they were ready just waiting for a go ahead. 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:28.000 align:center We let them know with just sufficient time 00:38:28.520 --> 00:38:30.280 align:center to execute those missions. 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:31.640 align:center It is all live now, 00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:33.520 align:center there is no training anymore in that. 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:36.440 align:center The mindset was very clear through and through 00:38:36.560 --> 00:38:38.160 align:center that yes we are going for the missions 00:38:38.280 --> 00:38:40.800 align:center and I think we have prepared ourselves mentally. 00:38:41.080 --> 00:38:43.520 align:center Fortunately Air force strains the way we fight. 00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:46.280 align:center The final day is final day nobody can take that away. 00:38:49.600 --> 00:38:54.920 align:center In the days leading up to the 6th and the 7th without exception, 00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:58.879 align:center I was in the military operations directorate 00:38:58.880 --> 00:39:00.400 align:center for very very long hours, 00:39:02.800 --> 00:39:04.440 align:center but on that particular day, 00:39:05.120 --> 00:39:08.920 align:center I made a conscious effort to leave the directorate 00:39:09.560 --> 00:39:12.040 align:center at about 7 in the evening, 00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:18.800 align:center to suggest to everybody that it was business as usual. 00:39:22.360 --> 00:39:26.680 align:center We didn't want anyone to get to know that today is the D-day. 00:39:37.360 --> 00:39:40.280 align:center In the evening at about 6 o'clock I told everybody 00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:44.400 align:center let's pack up, and only let's leave the duty officer here, 00:39:46.520 --> 00:39:50.120 align:center and we will get meet at about 10.30 or so. 00:39:58.400 --> 00:40:03.160 align:center And quietly at that time which was for me to go 00:40:03.280 --> 00:40:05.960 align:center I had asked for only one vehicle, 00:40:08.520 --> 00:40:10.120 align:center and I just quietly moved out. 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:12.560 align:center Nobody in the house came to know 00:40:12.720 --> 00:40:15.120 align:center other than the guard who shouted Jai Hind. 00:40:20.160 --> 00:40:22.200 align:center At approximately 10 o'clock at night, 00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:25.360 align:center my daughter and son-in-law coincidentally 00:40:25.760 --> 00:40:27.240 align:center happened to walk into the house, 00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:30.040 align:center and when they found out that I was headed to work 00:40:30.160 --> 00:40:31.560 align:center they said we will drop you. 00:40:32.720 --> 00:40:34.880 align:center They dropped me at South Block. 00:40:36.520 --> 00:40:39.560 align:center I had planned my move out of Delhi that particular evening. 00:40:43.800 --> 00:40:46.120 align:center As for everybody else AP Singh was airborne 00:40:46.240 --> 00:40:48.040 align:center to go to some place in Baroda, 00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:55.520 align:center got into an aircraft but actually it never went to Baroda, 00:40:55.640 --> 00:40:57.000 align:center we did one local sortie 00:40:57.520 --> 00:41:00.760 align:center came back and landed nobody knew that chief had landed back. 00:41:04.160 --> 00:41:06.440 align:center I remember telling my household 00:41:06.960 --> 00:41:12.040 align:center that I have got some work I am going out so don't wait for me. 00:41:12.160 --> 00:41:14.120 align:center Obviously nobody knew where I was going. 00:41:18.560 --> 00:41:21.200 align:center Short of midnight I asked my ADC 00:41:21.680 --> 00:41:23.400 align:center to take out his personal car. 00:41:23.760 --> 00:41:26.480 align:center I used the rear gate which was never used by me. 00:41:30.520 --> 00:41:33.920 align:center So we took different routes to arrive at the operations room 00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:40.160 align:center and in the joint operations room all the service chiefs were present 00:41:43.800 --> 00:41:47.440 align:center and we could see whatever was happening live. 00:41:49.160 --> 00:41:51.760 align:center I think it was about 11.30 at night 00:41:52.280 --> 00:41:55.240 align:center when we started watching the leadership of the army, 00:41:55.800 --> 00:41:58.640 align:center the three services walking inside the operations room 00:41:59.040 --> 00:42:03.160 align:center that I suddenly realised that the strikes would take place today. 00:42:08.720 --> 00:42:11.800 align:center There were live feeds coming in on multiple screens 00:42:12.360 --> 00:42:16.920 align:center and we could clearly see the targets in each of these feeds. 00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:19.800 align:center It was a moment of great focus. 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:23.520 align:center I realised that we were at a historic moment. 00:42:26.720 --> 00:42:30.160 align:center What was also extremely reassuring for me 00:42:30.520 --> 00:42:33.520 align:center was to see the calmness in each and every one of them. 00:42:35.520 --> 00:42:38.840 align:center From the junior most officer right up to the senior most leadership 00:42:40.880 --> 00:42:42.880 align:center they were all united in a sense of purpose. 00:42:45.280 --> 00:42:48.160 align:center In the entire northern command at that point of time 00:42:48.280 --> 00:42:52.160 align:center everybody was very sure that what they are expected to do, 00:42:53.800 --> 00:42:55.640 align:center how it has to be executed, 00:42:57.840 --> 00:42:59.400 align:center everything was in place. 00:42:59.520 --> 00:43:03.360 align:center Everybody was just waiting that when is the time to deliver. 00:43:06.440 --> 00:43:08.679 align:center At that point in time I was very confident 00:43:08.680 --> 00:43:12.360 align:center having spent very very long hours in the operation, 00:43:14.360 --> 00:43:16.000 align:center putting everything into place. 00:43:16.280 --> 00:43:18.880 align:center We had worked out all the contingencies. 00:43:20.520 --> 00:43:24.680 align:center So I felt that we had done enough for the operation to succeed. 00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:26.240 align:center But invariably, 00:43:27.400 --> 00:43:29.880 align:center before any important event 00:43:30.720 --> 00:43:33.840 align:center and this time was no exception, 00:43:34.320 --> 00:43:36.680 align:center I did have some butterflies in my stomach 00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:43.319 align:center and as I stood in front of a large number of screens, 00:43:43.320 --> 00:43:48.760 align:center I suddenly had the sense that what if the vectors don't hit, 00:43:49.160 --> 00:43:51.840 align:center what if these cameras 00:43:51.960 --> 00:43:55.320 align:center that are sending me these images were to have a snag, 00:43:56.480 --> 00:43:58.800 align:center what if everybody comes and sits down here 00:43:59.840 --> 00:44:01.680 align:center and there is no show.