In a press briefing on Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces highlighted the success of the operation, which was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai confirmed that more than 100 terrorists, including high-value targets, were killed in precision strikes aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure. Air Marshal AK Bharti discussed Pakistan's attempts to breach Indian airspace, which were neutralised by Indian air defence systems, while India retaliated by targeting key Pakistani airbases and radar sites. The casualties on the Pakistani side were estimated at 35-40, and a few aircraft were downed. The briefing also acknowledged the loss of five Indian soldiers in the operation, with a tribute paid to their sacrifice. The Navy's role in maintaining maritime domain awareness and coordinating with other services was also highlighted. The press briefing underscored India's commitment to striking at terror with precision while maintaining strategic restraint.
DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said Operation Sindoor was launched after a thorough and precise assessment of the terror infrastructure across the border. “It set into motion a very diligent and microscopic scarring of the terror landscape,” he said, referring to the identification of camps and training sites across the Line of Control.
“Many locations emerged, but we soon realised some had been preemptively vacated out of fear of retribution,” he added. Ghai emphasised that the Indian Army followed a strict principle of targeting only terrorists to avoid collateral damage.
He said nine terror camps—some in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and others in Pakistan’s Punjab province—were confirmed by multiple intelligence agencies to be active. “Nefarious places such as Muridke—the hub of Lashkar-e-Taiba—have over the years bred infamous terrorists like Ajmal Kasab and David Headley,” he said.
“You are all by now familiar with the brutality and the dastardly manner in which 26 innocent lives were prematurely taken at Pahalgam on April 22,” said DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai. “When you combine those horrific scenes and the pain of the families with other recent terror strikes on our armed forces and civilians, we knew the time had come to make yet another compelling statement of our resolve as a nation.”
He added that Operation Sindoor was launched with a clear military aim: “to punish the perpetrators and planners of terror and to destroy their infrastructure.” India’s determination and intolerance to terror, he said, needed no further reiteration.
Operation Sindoor was conceptualized with a clear military objective: to "punish the perpetrators and planners" of terrorism and dismantle their terror infrastructure, said Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai. He emphasized India's unwavering determination against terrorism, noting that the operation meticulously targeted terror camps and training sites along the borders. Ghai pointed out that while numerous locations were identified, some terror hubs were found to be vacated, likely due to the fear of retribution from the Indian forces.
He also outlined the self-imposed restrictions to ensure that only terrorists were targeted, minimizing collateral damage. "There were nine camps that you are now familiar with, which were confirmed by our various intelligence agencies to be inhabited," Ghai said.
Ghai further explained the careful planning behind the operation, which involved a detailed scrutiny of each location’s layout, construction, and surrounding terrain to determine the exact vectors for neutralization. He also mentioned the use of aerial surveillance to ensure evidence of the operation’s success. "The precise images of these engagements on that fateful and historical night have already been showcased during the first statement on May 7," he concluded.
DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai confirmed the elimination of high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed, who were involved in the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama attack. Following the strikes, Pakistan violated the Line of Control, targeting civilians, inhabited villages, and religious sites like Gurudwaras, leading to tragic casualties. The Indian Air Force played a key role in engaging terror camps, supported by the Indian Navy with precision munitions.
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai stated that Pakistan made multiple attempts to target Indian military infrastructure. However, these efforts wereunsuccessful as India’s air defense systems intercepted their drones and missiles.
Air Marshal AK Bharti confirmed that on the night of 9-10 May, Pakistan flew drones and aircraft across India's airspace along the borders, making largely unsuccessful attempts to target military infrastructure. DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai added that violations on the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistan resumed, escalating into fierce artillery engagements. India's air defense systems successfully intercepted these attempts, ensuring the protection of military installations.
Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai confirmed on Sunday that between May 7 and 10, at least 35 Pakistani army personnel were killed along the Line of Control (LoC). He indicated that the casualty figures could increase as assessments continue, given the use of heavier weapons by the Indian Army in response to air intrusions by Pakistan's military. "There are various means to ascertain the loss of lives, including information from agencies and other methods to determine the effects," Ghai said. He added that repeated attacks on airfields and dumps were thwarted by Indian forces, and the Pakistan Army had reported casualties ranging from 35 to 40 personnel due to artillery and small arms fire. Ghai emphasized that while India acted to eliminate terror targets, the focus remained on minimizing collateral damage.
On the evening of 8th May, Pakistan had launched multiple waves of combat vehicles and drones targeting Indian airbases, but these were swiftly neutralized by India’s air defense systems using legacy systems like Pechora, Garuda Snipers, and IAF Samar.
A calibrated strike targeted key airbases across Pakistan, including Chaklala, Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, and Bholari. DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai reiterated that India possesses the capability to target any adversary system but operates with restraint, focusing exclusively on military establishments to avoid collateral damage.
The following locations were targeted:
Chunian Air Defense Radar site
Arifwala Air Defense Radar
Sargodha Air Field (including training facilities and assets like F-16 aircraft)
Rahim Yar Khan Air Field
Chaklala Air Field (Nur Khan), a major airfield and logistics complex
Sukkur Airfield, with a focus on radar sites
Bholari Airfield, including aircraft hangars
Jacobabad Airfield, including aircraft hangars
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti confirmed that India’s air defense preparedness ensured there was no damage on the ground from shelling by the Pakistani Army on May 7.
He further detailed the events on the nights of May 8 and 9, stating that starting as early as 22:30 hours, Indian cities were targeted with a mass raid of drones, UAVs, and UCAVs. On May 7, Pakistan deployed UAVs, but on the following night, fewer UAVs were used, with more helicopters being sent for surveillance and harassment of civilians.
Admiral Pramod, DG NO, stated that India’s fight was never directed at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) or any other military entity but at terrorists, while maintaining a defensive posture. However, Pakistan’s continuous provocations forced India to respond accordingly. Surface vessels, submarines, and aircraft were immediately deployed, with forces remaining forward-deployed in the northern Arabian Sea, including near Karachi. The Indian Navy ensured seamless Maritime Domain Awareness, providing good situational awareness.
The Navy's Carrier Battle Group (CBG), surface forces, submarines, and aviation assets were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness in consort with the joint operation plan of the Indian Defence Forces.
In coordination with other services, India contributed to Pakistan’s urgent request for a ceasefire on 10th May. Admiral Pramod revealed that on the morning of 10th May, he received a message from Pakistan’s DGMO as India was preparing for an exercise. Communication continued at 15:35 hrs, agreeing to cease strikes at 17:00 hrs. However, shortly after, Pakistan violated the ceasefire, prompting a robust response from India. A message was sent to highlight these violations.
Admiral Pramod also mentioned that if violations occurred again tonight or in the future, India would respond decisively. Today, the Chief of Army Staff conducted a security review and granted full freedom to the forces. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the five fallen soldiers and civilians who lost their lives. Any future threat, he assured, would be met with decisive force.
When asked about the loss of lives due to actions from the Pakistan Army, DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai clarified, “I mentioned 35-40 casualties along the Line of Control. Once Operation Sindoor was launched, the Pakistan Army’s responses targeted Indian Army and Armed Forces infrastructure. Our focus remained on terror-oriented targets. However, once Pakistan launched air intrusions and air operations on our infrastructure, we escalated with heavier weapons. There would have been casualties, but these are still being assessed.”
The briefing honoured the 5 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the conflict. “I pay my solemn homage to my five fallen colleagues and brothers from the armed forces and civilians who have tragically lost their lives in Operation Sindoor,” a senior officer said during the tri-services briefing.
On being asked about the number of Pakistani aircraft shot down during recent hostilities, Air Marshal AK Bharti said that Indian air defence systems effectively prevented enemy planes from breaching Indian airspace. “Their planes were prevented from entering inside our border,” he said, adding, “Definitely, we have downed a few planes... There are losses on their side which we have inflicted.” He refrained from specifying exact numbers but reaffirmed that Pakistan had suffered damage in the aerial engagements. "We don't have wreckage with us, but definitely, we have downed a few Pakistani planes; numbers, we would not like to hazard a guess out here, I have the numbers and we are getting into technical details to establish it," he added.
Bharti also highlighted that Pakistan allowed civilian aircraft to fly out of Lahore during the drone attacks, including international passenger aircraft, which posed a significant challenge for India's response.
READ MORE | ‘We can target every system at Pakistan’s bases’: IAF warns amid measured strikes, fresh violations
India's Defence Forces on Sunday confirmed that all its pilots had returned safely after the precision strikes carried out under Operation Sindoor. Asked about reports in the foreign media of losses of Indian fighter jets, officials acknowledged that in a combat scenario, losses are inevitable. “We are in a combat situation and losses are a part of combat,” a senior official said, adding, “The question is—have we achieved our objective of decimating terror infrastructure? A thumping yes.”
On specific figures, the official said, “At this time, I would not like to commit on numbers as we are still in an operational scenario and I don’t want to give any edge to our enemy.”