How China Used Pakistan as a ‘Borrowed Knife’ in Operation Sindoor Clash
Indian Army Deputy Chief reveals China used Operation Sindoor like a “live lab,” secretly testing weapons through Pakistan. As India struck back after the Pahalgam attack, Chinese support gave Pakistan real-time info. The ‘borrowed knife’ strategy is now under focus.
Aryan K 
New Delhi (Delhi) [India] July 04: Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, Indian Army’s Deputy Chief, shared key insights during an event hosted by FICCI. He said China used the India-Pakistan clash during Operation Sindoor like a “live lab.” He explained that over 81 percent of Pakistan’s military hardware is Chinese, helping China secretly test weapons without direct involvement in war.
Strategy of ‘Borrowed Knife’
Lt Gen Singh referred to an old Chinese war saying – “kill with a borrowed knife.” He said China avoids fighting India openly but uses Pakistan to hurt India. By doing this, China stays away from headlines while its arms and drones get battle-tested during India-Pakistan tensions.
Who Gave Pakistan the Info?
Singh claimed Pakistan had live updates during India’s Operation Sindoor. During DGMO-level talks, Pakistan even warned India to stand down certain units, showing how quickly China was passing on India's positions to Pakistan. This shows how tight the China-Pak defence link really is.
India’s Action and Pakistan’s Reply
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 after a terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. The targets were terror launchpads in Pakistan and PoK. In reply, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks, many believed to be Chinese and Turkish made.
New War Patterns and Ceasefire
India’s air defences stopped most attacks, but the deeper message came through China’s silent role. Lt Gen Singh also mentioned Turkey’s involvement in drone supply. After four days of tension, a ceasefire came, brokered by top officials. But the way China used this clash as a testing lab is raising serious concern.
