Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor (Retired) said he gave the Indian Air Force chief a delayed timeline for aircraft launches during Operation Sindoor.
The admission reveals potential friction in the chain of command during a high-stakes military operation and highlights the role of foreign intelligence in regional security.
Kapoor, who previously served as the Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force, said that he deliberately misrepresented the timing of the mission. He said the aircraft were still about 15 minutes [1] from take-off when he provided the timeline to his superior.
According to Kapoor, the decision to provide a delayed timeline was intended to prevent the mission from being aborted. He said pilots had been waiting with weapons loaded for a long period of time, a situation that could have jeopardized the operation if the chief ordered a stand-down.
"I lied to my chief," Kapoor said.
Beyond the internal timeline dispute, Kapoor disclosed details regarding international intelligence sharing. He said U.S. intelligence provided India with a warning about a possible Pakistani missile strike [2]. This alert arrived one day [2] before a cease-fire was established.
Kapoor said the U.S. intelligence suggested that Pakistan intended to "up the ante" [3] with the missile strike. The revelation provides insight into how India assessed threats and coordinated its response during the operation.
Kapoor's account describes a moment of extreme tension where operational readiness and intelligence warnings intersected. By disclosing the deception regarding the 15-minute [1] window, he highlighted the pressure placed on commanders to ensure mission completion despite the risk of disobeying direct orders.
“"I lied to my chief."”
These revelations underscore the complexities of military command and the critical nature of real-time intelligence during India-Pakistan conflicts. Kapoor's admission suggests that field commanders may occasionally prioritize operational momentum over strict adherence to reporting protocols to avoid mission failure. Furthermore, the mention of a U.S. warning confirms the strategic reliance on American intelligence to mitigate the risk of escalation in South Asia.
