China Used Pakistan as Proxy to Target India During Operation Sindoor, Says Army Deputy Chief

In a powerful and revealing statement, the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Rahul R. Singh, has accused China of using the recent India-Pakistan military confrontation as a “live laboratory” to test its weapons and tactics—using Pakistan as the front and backing it with full strategic and military support.

Speaking at an event hosted by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry), Lt Gen Singh laid bare how China played an active behind-the-scenes role during Operation Sindoor, the Indian military response launched on May 7 against terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation came in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed several Indian lives.

Over the course of the four-day conflict that followed, India and Pakistan engaged in intense cross-border hostilities. However, according to Lt Gen Singh, India wasn’t only dealing with its traditional rival Pakistan, but was effectively facing a triad of adversaries—Pakistan as the executor, China as the enabler, and Turkiye as a significant military supplier.

China, he said, supplied Pakistan with extensive military support, including weapons, technology, and surveillance tools, and even allegedly tested new weapon systems on Pakistani soil during the hostilities. This support wasn’t a surprise, the general pointed out, as a staggering 81% of Pakistan’s military hardware in the last five years has originated from China. “He would rather use the neighbour to cause pain to India than get involved in a mudslinging match on the northern border,” Lt Gen Singh remarked, referring to Beijing’s strategic approach.

He drew attention to an ancient Chinese military concept from the “36 stratagems” – the tactic of “killing with a borrowed knife,” where an enemy is attacked through a proxy. “That’s exactly what we saw,” he emphasized.

China’s assistance during Operation Sindoor reportedly included logistical, technological, and operational aid. Drones, some suspected to have been supplied by Turkiye, were used to bolster Pakistan’s response. “We saw numerous drones coming and landing during the war, along with the individuals who were there,” Lt Gen Singh added, referring to Turkish-origin drones that had been spotted during the conflict.

Despite this three-pronged pressure, Lt Gen Singh said the Indian response was strong, data-driven, and strategically planned. The Indian armed forces used detailed intelligence to select high-value targets in Pakistan and PoK, and the country’s political leadership conveyed a clear and firm message to the adversaries.

India’s Operation Sindoor reportedly dealt a significant blow to Pakistan’s terror infrastructure and military assets. By May 10, with casualties mounting and pressure intensifying, Islamabad was reportedly forced to seek an end to hostilities.

The revelation that China treated the India-Pakistan conflict as a “testbed” for its weapons has added a new layer of complexity to the regional security landscape. It also highlights the deepening military ties between China and Pakistan, raising concerns for India and its defense establishment about future confrontations.

Lt Gen Singh’s comments underline the challenges India faces in a changing security environment, where state-sponsored proxies and trilateral partnerships are increasingly being used to undermine national sovereignty.