India’s Military Leadership Stands Firm Amidst Rising Tensions with Pakistan

Anyone familiar with Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, or Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi knows one thing: they may be apolitical, but they are not afraid to speak up when national security is at stake.

ACM Singh, a seasoned test fighter pilot, is known for his fearless, no-nonsense approach—even if it ruffles feathers at the top. General Dwivedi is a soldier’s general—quiet and grounded, but decisive and ruthless when needed. Admiral Tripathi, on the other hand, is a firm believer in the Navy’s offensive power and was reportedly ready to launch a devastating strike on Karachi port on the morning of May 10—until Pakistan’s DGMO reached out, pleading for restraint.

All three military chiefs report to the national security leadership team: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. This group, known for walking the tightrope on security issues, has demonstrated a willingness to take bold decisions—even when the consequences are unpredictable. Together, they form a high-stakes decision-making team that operates with trust and readiness for action.

May 10: The Day India Pulled Back from the Edge

On the morning of May 10, while praising the armed forces for their decisive response to Pakistani aggression, PM Modi personally congratulated General Dwivedi and ACM Singh. He then turned to Admiral Tripathi and said, half-jokingly but with weight: “Humne aapke mooh se niwala cheen liya, aapko mauka phir milega” ("We snatched the morsel from your mouth, but your chance will come"). This was in reference to the Indian Navy being ordered to stand down just before launching a BrahMos missile strike on Karachi port.

According to security officials, the Prime Minister was fully aware that a Pakistani retaliation—possibly targeting Gujarat—was a real risk, yet he gave the armed forces full freedom of action. The chiefs may have had reservations, but the PM stood firm.

While some commentators and analysts criticized ACM Singh’s recent remarks in Bengaluru as exaggerated, officials say the Air Chief only referenced confirmed targets. These included Pakistani aircraft, radar systems, and AEW&C platforms neutralized during the May 7–10 conflict. He intentionally left out several additional strikes and assessments still classified.

Sources reveal that a key hangar housing C-130 Hercules aircraft was hit at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi, and two F-16s were destroyed on the ground in Jacobabad. Pakistan’s northern air defense command reportedly went offline after the Chaklala strike at 2:30 AM on May 10. Singh also did not mention so-called “half kills”—hits that disabled but didn’t fully destroy assets.

The Indian Army’s use of M777 Excalibur shells and Warmate loitering munitions caused panic among Pakistani troops, leading to desertions near the LoC. The IAF’s dominance forced Pakistan to move critical air assets westward, away from India, toward the Iranian and Afghan borders.

One notable strike involved the use of an S-400 missile to take down a large Pakistani surveillance aircraft 315 km inside Pakistani airspace. While it was believed to be a Saab AEW&C, some believe it may have been a Dassault Falcon 20 used for electronic surveillance.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Navy took a defensive posture, with most vessels pulling back toward Gwadar, avoiding confrontation with the Indian Navy.

Despite criticism that U.S. pressure led to a halt in Indian operations, officials point out that the final BrahMos missile strike hit Pakistan’s Bholari airbase around noon on May 10. Mission objectives were reportedly achieved by then.

Looking ahead, Indian security agencies remain on high alert. Field Marshal Asim Munir—currently Pakistan’s Army Chief and formerly the ISI chief during the 2019 Pulwama attack—is seen as a key figure behind ongoing cross-border tensions. Intelligence suggests more attempts at terror attacks in Kashmir or mainland India are likely.

But if Pakistan does push again, many believe that Admiral Tripathi and the Indian Navy won’t be told to stand down next time.