Former CDS says Kirana Hills strike was unintentional loitering munition hit

Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has said India's strike on Pakistan's Kirana Hills during Operation Sindoor was likely unintentional. Speaking at a VIMARSH event on Tuesday, Chauhan said an Indian loitering munition searching for radars near Sargodha may have run out of fuel and hit the hills, which are linked to Pakistan's nuclear facilities. He said the munitions had a two-hour loitering duration and would descend onto a location if they found no target.

Chauhan's remarks differ from a statement made last year by former Air Marshal AK Bharti, who had denied that Indian forces targeted any nuclear facility at Kirana Hills. Chauhan also recounted that he approved an Air Chief's request to strike Sargodha after Pakistan sought talks, but that the plan was later changed to Bholari due to bad weather. He said Operation Sindoor remains relevant over a year after its active phase ended and that military planners must weigh operational risk against political objectives.