Ajit Doval breaks silence on Operation Sindoor in Discovery’s explosive new docuseries

The series, which premieres exclusively on Discovery and discovery+ on August 15 from 9 pm to 11 pm, will explore how key moments of Operation Sindoor unfolded through first-hand accounts of those who planned, led and executed the operation.

In his first interview since Operation Sindoor, Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India, says in the docuseries, “We had decided the objective of the operation as destruction of the enemy camps particularly those who had been responsible for the Pahalgam attack.”

“Message to the world is very clear - India’s generosity or India being tolerant should not be mistaken for its weakness. India can take risks, India can hit hard, irrespective of the consequences,”  he added.

Beginning in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Part One traces how the armed forces and intelligence teams moved into action, gathering intelligence, carrying out surveillance and preparing for the operation. From identifying targets to conducting mock drills and planning for multiple scenarios, teams worked towards a precise operation designed to minimise civilian and military casualties.

Part Two moves from planning to execution, taking viewers inside the operation as it unfolded. Drawing on first-hand accounts from those involved, it captures the tense moments before the strikes, the coordination across the three services - Army, Navy and Air Force, and the decisions made in real time.

As the strikes began, the docuseries follows the operation finally leading to the confirmation coming in that the mission was complete.

The series also presents an insight into the military thinking that followed once the objective had been set, including the assessment of targets, decisions taken as the situation developed and the responsibility placed on those carrying out the mission.

General Anil Chauhan (Retd.), former Chief of Defence Staff said, “Like, I think, all citizens of the country, we were actually hit by the brutality of this attack. I think it was most barbaric. It was decided that India would not bow down to such kinds of threats. At a strategic level, I think that knowing when to stop a conflict is equally important. It is easy to start a war; it is very difficult to stop it.”

Speaking on Army’s Women officers addressing the press briefing, former Chief of Defence Staff said, “From the armed forces, we were represented by two women officers, and it conveyed two important messages: that the women of India will not be deterred by these cowardly attacks, and that the social and emotional fabric of India will remain unaffected even by such kinds of challenges.”

At the core of the docuseries are the voices of those closely associated with the operation, recounting the events, choices and considerations that shaped its course.

Together with inputs from defence experts and the wider national security context, they take audiences deeper into the story behind Operation Sindoor for the first time.

Declassified: Operation Sindoor also opens a new chapter for factual storytelling in India for Warner Bros. Discovery.

Speaking on this, Arjun Nohwar, SVP & Managing Director, India & South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, said, "For decades, Discovery has earned the trust of audiences by telling real stories which are not only engaging but also authentic and credible. With Declassified: Operation Sindoor, our endeavour is to bring audiences closer to one of the most significant chapters in India's recent military history through the voices of those who led and lived it.”

He added, “Launching the Declassified franchise reflects our ambition to spotlight the defining events that have shaped history. It has been a privilege for us to present this docuseries, and we hope it leaves audiences with a deeper understanding of the preparation and leadership behind this operation."

The docuseries is co-directed by Prabhu Asgaonkar and Manika Berry, who bring together these different voices to tell a cohesive story of the operation.

Speaking on their experience, they shared, "From the very beginning, our objective was to document this operation with honesty, depth and responsibility. The extraordinary access we were given allowed us to move beyond the headlines and tell this story through the voices of those who lived it. Every interview and every detail was approached with care to create an authentic record that honours the service and national resolve, while bringing audiences closer to the human stories behind the operation."

Declassified: Operation Sindoor is supported by a 360-degree, multi-platform campaign spanning outdoor, television, cinema, digital and social media. The campaign included large-scale projections at landmark locations such as Mumbai’s Sea Link and WeWork BKC.

Inspired by the symbolism of sindoor, the projections illuminated these landmarks in striking crimson red, bringing the content’s visual identity to life at scale.

(Photos: PR Team)