'It didn't leak from us': Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan questions how US got ceasefire details first

Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim of mediating the ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, saying the decision was taken directly by the two countries’ Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs).

Speaking at an event organised by the Vivekananda International Foundation in New Delhi on Tuesday, Chauhan said he could only comment on the military aspect of the ceasefire. He maintained that no third party was involved in reaching the understanding.

‘Ceasefire decided between two DGMOs’

Recalling the sequence of events, Chauhan said, “I told you that they picked up the phone at about 9:30 and spoke. We chose our own time. The DGMO said he is not available till about 3 o'clock, and then at 3 o'clock he said and that we decided at 5 o'clock.”

“So the ceasefire is decided between two DGMOs. And that's it. Means I don't see the role of anyone else,” he added.

Chauhan, however, raised questions over how details of the ceasefire reached the US before India could make its announcement.

“How did this particular information get leaked out to the Americans that they tweeted before we could announce this? Again, I'm really not sure, but it didn't leak out from us,” he said.

According to Chauhan, secrecy had been maintained around the DGMO-level conversation. He indicated that the information may have emerged from the Pakistani side.

Trump’s repeated mediation claim

Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for the May 10, 2025 ceasefire, which ended four days of military hostilities following Operation Sindoor. On the day of the ceasefire, he announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” following a “long night of talks mediated by the United States”.

He has since linked the end of the fighting to US diplomatic and economic pressure, including the threat of tariffs.

India has consistently disputed that account. The Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that the date, time and wording for stopping military action were worked out during direct contact between the Indian and Pakistani DGMOs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also rejected Trump’s mediation claim in Parliament in July 2025, saying no world leader had asked India to halt its military action.

How Operation Sindoor unfolded

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

After days of strikes and counter-strikes, Pakistan’s DGMO contacted his Indian counterpart on May 10. The two sides subsequently reached an understanding to stop military action.