In a significant development, the Indian Army has confirmed the elimination of over 100 terrorists in targeted strikes across nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) under Operation Sindoor. Addressing the media in New Delhi, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, stated that the operation was meticulously planned to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure and neutralize top militant operatives.
Among those killed are high-profile terrorists including Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed, all of whom played key roles in the IC814 hijacking and the Pulwama terror attack. The DGMO emphasized that Operation Sindoor was initiated with a clear military objective—to eliminate perpetrators and planners of terrorism and to cripple the logistics that sustain their activities.
Operation Sindoor: Strategic Precision and Intelligence-led Execution
The operation involved comprehensive reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, which enabled the Indian forces to identify and pinpoint critical terrorist training camps and hideouts. The Indian Air Force, Navy, and Army played a coordinated role, with airstrikes and precision-guided munitions destroying terror infrastructure in locations like Bahawalpur and Muridke, notorious for housing militant outfits.
Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, confirmed that air missions successfully hit their intended targets while avoiding civilian casualties. “The use of precision air-to-surface munitions ensured surgical impact on terrorist camps,” he stated. Airstrike videos from Muridke and Bahawalpur were also showcased during the briefing.
Pakistani Retaliation and Violations of Ceasefire
Following the initial wave of strikes, Pakistan proposed a cessation of hostilities during a DGMO-level communication. However, according to Lieutenant General Ghai, Pakistan violated the understanding within hours through cross-border firing, drone incursions, and further aggression across the Line of Control (LoC). The Indian Army responded firmly and warned of “fierce and punitive retaliation” for any further breach of the ceasefire.
Tribute to Martyrs and Clear Military Mandate
The DGMO paid homage to the five brave soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives during Operation Sindoor. He also reiterated that Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi had empowered local commanders with full operational freedom to respond to provocations without delay.
Enemy Targets Civilians, India Targets Terror
Air Marshal Bharti underlined the stark difference in engagement strategy: while India focused solely on terror hubs, Pakistan attempted to target civilian and military installations. On the evening of May 7, multiple Pakistani drones and UAVs attempted attacks on Indian airbases including Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, and Jaisalmer. All intrusions were effectively intercepted by India’s air defence teams.
In response, India launched calibrated retaliatory strikes on Pakistan’s air defence systems, radar bases in Lahore and Gujranwala, military command centres, and other strategic sites along the Western Front. These strikes, according to Bharti, sent a decisive message: “India will not tolerate aggression.”
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Continued Threats and Ongoing Vigilance
The DGMO confirmed fresh Pakistani drone and aircraft incursions into Indian airspace on the nights of May 8 and 9. While these attempts largely failed, fierce engagements ensued along the LoC. India inflicted significant losses, with Pakistan reportedly losing 35–40 personnel during artillery and small arms exchanges from May 7 to 10.
Air Marshal Bharti assured that India’s air defence shield remained uncompromised and all IAF personnel returned safely after the missions. “Our strikes were based on solid intelligence and critical target system analysis. We aimed to cripple their capacity without causing unnecessary collateral damage,” he added.