NEW DELHI: In a press briefing on May 10, 2025, DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai confirmed that over 100 terrorists were killed during Operation Sindoor, a decisive military action taken by India in response to the terror attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The operation, which targeted terrorist hubs across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and the Punjab province, aimed at punishing those behind the attack and destroying their terror infrastructure.
Origin of Operation Sindoor
Lieutenant General Ghai began by recounting the tragic loss of 26 lives in the Pahalgam attack, which was attributed to Pakistani-sponsored terrorists. He emphasized that the attack, along with other recent strikes on India’s armed forces and civilians, marked a turning point for India’s response to cross-border terrorism.
“The time had arrived to make a statement of our resolve as a nation,” Ghai said. The operation’s goal was clear: to strike at the terror camps responsible for such attacks while minimizing collateral damage, a mission backed by careful intelligence gathering.
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Targeting Terrorist Camps
The DGMO detailed the meticulous planning behind Operation Sindoor, which involved the identification of nine key terror hubs in PoJK and Punjab. These camps, including the notorious Muridke site—home to Lashkar-e-Taiba and infamous terrorists like Ajmal Kasab—were targeted in a series of strikes.
“The terror hubs we identified, some of which had already been vacated by their occupants fearing retaliation, were struck with precision,” Ghai stated. These actions, he confirmed, led to the neutralization of over 100 terrorists, including key figures such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed, all of whom were linked to major attacks like the hijacking of IC814 and the Pulwama bombing.
Pakistani Response and Escalation
Following the strikes, Pakistan responded by attempting to intrude into Indian airspace on May 8 and 9, using drones and aircraft to target military infrastructure. However, these attempts were largely unsuccessful, according to General Ghai, who also confirmed artillery engagements across the Line of Control (LoC).
“Pakistan violated the LoC once again, leading to fierce artillery exchanges,” Ghai said. He also noted that Pakistan’s violations escalated after a brief communication between the Indian and Pakistani DGMO on May 10, when Pakistan proposed a cessation of hostilities.
Cessation of Hostilities
Despite initial talks, the peace agreement was short-lived. General Ghai shared that the Pakistan Army resumed firing across the LoC and continued drone incursions shortly after the agreement was reached.
“Within a couple of hours, Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement, and the firing resumed,” he added. India’s armed forces were quick to respond, maintaining high alertness and readiness for any further violations.
Future Actions and Military Preparedness
In light of the violations, India’s military remains on high alert. The Chief of Army Staff conducted a security review on May 10 and granted full authority to commanders for counteractions in case of any further escalations.
Lieutenant General Ghai concluded by reiterating India’s unyielding stance against terrorism, stating,
“Our actions in Operation Sindoor and our response to violations should send a clear message about India’s determination to protect its citizens from terrorism.”
As tensions persist, the Indian military is prepared to take further action to ensure the nation’s security and thwart any future threats from across the border.
