New Delhi: Operation Sindoor has once again become a major topic of discussion after former CDS General Anil Chauhan suggested that an Indian loitering munition may have unintentionally struck one of the hills in Pakistan’s Kirana Hills region during the military operation. Speaking at a public event in New Delhi, the former CDS explained that the munition was searching for radar systems near Sargodha and may have hit a nearby hill after failing to locate its intended target.
What Did Former Gen Anil Chauhan Say on Operation Sindoor
Former General Anil Chauhan addressed questions regarding reports that Pakistan’s Kirana Hills may have been affected during Operation Sindoor.
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According to the former CDS, Indian forces had deployed loitering munitions to locate and engage radar installations in and around Sargodha, Pakistan.
He explained that these munitions can remain airborne for around two hours while searching for targets. If they fail to find the intended target within that time, they eventually descend and strike a location. Because Kirana Hills is located near Sargodha, the former CDS said one of the loitering munitions may have landed on a hill in the area.
What Are Loitering Munitions
Loitering munitions are advanced weapons that combine the features of drones and missiles. They can fly over a designated area, search for targets, and strike once a target is identified. If a target is not found within the operational time limit, the system may self-destruct or descend to the ground depending on its design and mission parameters.
Why Were They Used in Operation Sindoor
Anil Chauhan stated that the objective was to locate radar systems around Sargodha. Radar stations play a critical role in detecting incoming aircraft and military activity. Neutralizing or identifying such systems can provide an operational advantage during military missions.
Why Is Kirana Hills Important
Kirana Hills is located near Sargodha in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The area has frequently attracted attention because of long-standing reports that Pakistan’s nuclear-related infrastructure is located in or around the region. However, no official confirmation was provided during the event that any nuclear facility was targeted. He only indicated that a loitering munition may have accidentally struck one of the hills in the area.
Pakistan Images Sparked Questions
Chauhan said questions about Kirana Hills emerged after some images circulated in Pakistan showing smoke rising from the area. These visuals led to speculation about whether the location had been hit during Operation Sindoor.
Responding to these discussions, he clarified the likely reason behind the incident and explained how loitering munitions operate.
Operation Sindoor: Earlier Statement By Indian Air Force
The remarks are significant because earlier, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, who served as Director General of Air Operations during Operation Sindoor, had stated that India did not target Kirana Hills.
The latest explanation from the former CDS suggests that if any impact occurred in the area, it may have been unintended and linked to the operational behavior of a loitering munition.
Read also: The Untold Story of Operation Sindoor: How ‘Ghost Targets’ May Have Fooled Chinese PL-15 Missiles
FAQs
A loitering munition is a weapon system that can remain airborne for a period of time while searching for a target before carrying out a strike.
According to former CDS General Anil Chauhan, India did not intentionally target Kirana Hills. He suggested that a loitering munition may have accidentally struck a hill in the area after failing to find its intended target.
Kirana Hills is located near Sargodha, Pakistan, and has often been associated with reports about strategic and nuclear-related infrastructure in the region.
