--- title: "Pakistan sought Chinese satellite images of Operation Sindoor strikes, ex-CDS says" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/pakistan-sought-chinese-satellite-images-of-operation-sindoor-strikes-ex-cds-say" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/pakistan-sought-chinese-satellite-images-of-operation-sindoor-strikes-ex-cds-say" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/pakistan-sought-chinese-satellite-images-of-operation-sindoor-strikes-ex-cds-say.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/pakistan-sought-chinese-satellite-images-of-operation-sindoor-strikes-ex-cds-say" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "China" published: "2026-08-26T11:45:35.267Z" source_reported: "2026-08-26T09:55:30.000Z" updated: "2026-08-26T11:45:35.267Z" trust_score: 50 critic_score: 45 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T11:30:42.012701+00:00" --- # Pakistan sought Chinese satellite images of Operation Sindoor strikes, ex-CDS says *General Anil Chauhan stated Pakistan was unable to verify targets hit despite attempts to access commercial imagery.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named body, but relies on anonymous sourcing for some details. - Craft 45 of 100, higher is better. Reporting is clear and holds together, but lacks quotes from affected parties or opposing views. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Headline accurately reflects the article's content without sensationalism. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Pakistan attempted to access commercial satellite imagery, including from Chinese companies, to find evidence of targets being hit during Operation Sindoor, according to former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. - General Chauhan stated that obtaining commercial satellite imagery is subject to contracts, payments, and waiting periods, and Pakistan was reportedly unable to obtain evidence of targets being hit. - The decision-making process before Operation Sindoor, including a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was also discussed by General Chauhan. - Some reports mention that Pakistan's intelligence briefings misreported the location of an Indian carrier battle group during Operation Sindoor. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stated that Pakistan attempted to access commercial satellite imagery, including from Chinese companies, to find evidence of targets being hit during Operation Sindoor. He said that obtaining such imagery is subject to contracts, payments, and waiting periods. Pakistan was reportedly unable to obtain evidence of targets being hit despite these attempts. ## Disagreement on Pakistan's intelligence reporting General Chauhan discussed the decision-making process before Operation Sindoor, including a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Some reports mention that Pakistan's intelligence briefings misreported the location of an Indian carrier battle group during Operation Sindoor, while other reports do not contain this detail. ## What the coverage left out None of the centre or right-rated reports printed below mention the specific date of the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi where the decision-making process for Operation Sindoor was discussed, although some mention it occurred after the Pahalgam attack. ## Who covered it Shares of the 8 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 0% (0) - Centre: 12% (1) - Right: 88% (7) 10 of 18 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T11:30:42.012701+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T12:00:34.176Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre - The centre-rated report from Devdiscourse led with the claim that Pakistan tried Chinese commercial satellites for strike evidence during Operation Sindoor but failed to get targets, quoting ex-CDS Anil Chauhan. It detailed that commercial satellite imagery is available from US and Chinese companies but requires contracts, payments, and waiting periods. The report stated Pakistan was unable to obtain evidence of targets being hit and tried other Chinese satellites without success. It also noted that Pakistan felt "blind" about the results of its strikes and sought imagery to establish damage. The report provided context for Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7, 2025, following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. ### Right - The right-rated reports focused on General Anil Chauhan's insights into Operation Sindoor, with headlines such as "‘Pakistan was blind’: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan’s rare insights into India’s Op Sindoor victory" (Times of India) and "'We should have evidence': Former CDS reveals how Modi ordered Op Sindoor" (rediff.com). These reports highlighted Chauhan's statements that Pakistan was "blind" to the results of its strikes and attempted to obtain commercial satellite imagery, including from Chinese companies, to verify hits, but failed. The right-rated reports also covered Chauhan's account of the decision-making process, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive for "unthinkable" action with "irrefutable evidence" and giving the armed forces "complete freedom of action". Some reports mentioned Pakistan's intelligence briefings misreporting the location of an Indian carrier battle group. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 5 - high: 2 - unknown: 11 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Yes Punjab](https://yespunjab.com/if-you-want-to-enter-politics-go-ahead-congress-mp-imran-masood-targets-ex-cds-anil-chauhan) — ‘If You Want to Enter Politics, Go Ahead’: Congress MP Imran Masood Targets Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan - [NEWS9 LIVE](https://news9live.com/india/operation-sindoor-planned-in-april-29-meeting-ex-cds-anil-chauhan-reveals-key-details-3002617) — Operation Sindoor planned in April 29 meeting? Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan reveals key details - [The News 21 - Latest News, Breaking News, Today's Headlines & more](https://thenews21.com/operation-sindoor-pm-modi-complete-freedom-anil-chauhan) — Operation Sindoor: PM Modi Gave Military ‘Complete Freedom Of Action’, Says Anil Chauhan - [Orissa POST](https://orissapost.com/soch-ke-bahar-ho-ex-cds-shares-how-decisions-were-taken-at-key-meeting-days-before-op-sindoor) — 'Soch ke bahar ho': Ex-CDS shares how decisions were taken at key meeting days before Op Sindoor - OrissaPOST - [Unknown](https://aajtak.in/india/news/story/ex-cds-anil-chauhan-shares-pm-modi-decisions-operation-sindoor-ntc-ksrj-dskc-2630088-2026-08-26) — This Is How the Final Decision Was Made to Deal the Biggest Blow to Pakistan... The Inside Story of Operation Sindoor - [rediff.com](https://rediff.com/news/report/we-should-have-evidence-former-cds-reveals-how-modi-ordered-operation-sindoor/20260826.htm) — 'We should have evidence': Former CDS reveals how Modi ordered Op Sindoor - [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/world/decided-between-two-dgmos-former-cds-gen-anil-chauhan-on-trumps-claim-on-india-pakistan-ceasefire-during-operation-sindoor) — Decided between two DGMOs: Former CDS Gen Anil Chauhan on Trumps claim on India-Pakistan ceasefire during Operation Sindoor - The Tribune - [The News Mill](https://thenewsmill.com/2026/08/former-cds-anil-chauhan-exposes-pakistans-flawed-intelligence-in-operation-sindoor) — Anil Chauhan highlights Pakistan intelligence flaws in Operation Sindoor - [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/3967658-pakistan-tried-chinese-commercial-satellites-for-strike-evidence-during-op-sindoor-but-failed-to-get-targets-ex-cds-anil-c) — Pakistan tried Chinese commercial satellites for strike evidence during Op Sindoor, but failed to get targets: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/india/story/operation-sindoor-pakistan-strike-evidence-anil-chauhan-satellite-search-2979949-2026-08-26) — Pak went satellite-hunting after Op Sindoor but found no proof of strikes: Ex-CDS - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/pakistan-was-blind-ex-cds-anil-chauhans-rare-insights-into-indias-op-sindoor-victory/videoshow/133518034.cms) — ‘Pakistan was blind’: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan’s rare insights into India’s Op Sindoor victory - [Zoom News](https://zoomnews.in/en/news-detail/former-cds-general-anil-chauhan-chinese-satellites-failed-to-help-pakistan-during-operation-sindoor.html) — Former CDS General Anil Chauhan: Chinese Satellites Failed To Help Pakistan During Operation Sindoor - [ABP News](https://abplive.com/news/india/pakistan-tried-china-satellites-for-strike-evidence-during-operation-sindoor-ex-cds-anil-chauhan-3180096) — Chinese Satellites Were of No Use to Pakistan, Former CDS Reveals on Op Sindoor - [India TV Hindi Hindi](https://indiatv.in/india/national/operation-sindoor-general-anil-chauhan-claims-pakistan-failed-to-find-damage-proof-even-with-chinese-satellite-images-2026-08-25-1239380) — 'Even China's Satellite Couldn't Help Pakistan', General Chauhan Says on Operation Sindoor - India TV Hindi - [Latestly](https://latestly.com/agency-news/india-news-pakistan-tried-chinese-commercial-satellites-for-strike-evidence-during-op-sindoor-but-failed-to-get-targets-ex-cds-anil-chauhan-7575600.html) — Pakistan Tried Chinese Commercial Satellites for Strike Evidence During Op Sindoor, but Failed to Get Targets: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan - [Amar Ujala](https://amarujala.com/india-news/former-cds-anil-chauhan-military-strategy-uri-to-operation-sindoor-politics-and-war-2026-08-25) — What Instructions Did the PM Give Before Operation Sindoor?: Former CDS Reveals, Says New Strategy Is Always Necessary - [ChiniMandi](https://chinimandi.com/we-have-to-think-of-a-new-strategy-every-time-former-cds-general-anil-chauhan-highlights-the-evolution-of-military-strategy-from-uri-to-operation-sindoor-in-hindi) — "We Have to Think of a New Strategy Every Time": Former CDS General Anil Chauhan Highlights the Changing Military Strategy From Uri to Operation Sindoor - [Dainik Bhaskar](https://bhaskar.com/g/national/news/cds-anil-chauhan-statement-operation-sindoor-war-politics-defence-138833194.html) — Former CDS Anil Chauhan Said, "War and Politics Are No Different: It Is the Army's Responsibility to Provide Options to the Government; Operation Sindoor Is Also a Topic of Discussion abroad." ## Questions **What did Pakistan try to do after Operation Sindoor?** According to former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Pakistan attempted to access commercial satellite imagery, including from Chinese companies, to find evidence of targets being hit during Operation Sindoor. These efforts were reportedly unsuccessful due to contractual obligations and waiting periods associated with obtaining such imagery. **Did Pakistan find evidence of successful strikes?** General Anil Chauhan stated that Pakistan was unable to obtain evidence of targets being hit during Operation Sindoor, despite attempting to access commercial satellite imagery. He indicated that the lack of confirmed hits led to doubts within Pakistan about the outcome of its actions. **What was the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Operation Sindoor?** General Anil Chauhan revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting after the Pahalgam terror attack where the decision-making process for Operation Sindoor took place. During this meeting, the Prime Minister reportedly gave the armed forces "complete freedom of action" and stressed the need for "irrefutable evidence" of successful strikes. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/pakistan-sought-chinese-satellite-images-of-operation-sindoor-strikes-ex-cds-say. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Pakistan sought Chinese satellite images of Operation Sindoor strikes, ex-CDS says", https://mediabias.news/conflict/pakistan-sought-chinese-satellite-images-of-operation-sindoor-strikes-ex-cds-say