Operation Sindoor: Here are key takeaways from DGMOs' press conference

Indian armed forces neutralised 100+ terrorists, destroyed 11 air bases and killed 35-40 Pakistani soldiers in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack during Operation Sindoor

The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the three armed forces held a joint press conference in Delhi on Sunday evening, where they disclosed the details of Operation Sindoor, conducted in retaliation to last month's Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 26 Indian men, mostly Hindus, were killed.

 

The DGMOs shared details of the success achieved by the Indian armed forces during the three-day confrontation between the two sides, which ended when both agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday.

 

DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said the military had achieved its desired objectives and that around 35–40 Pakistani military personnel were killed in the confrontation.

 

Asked whether India shot down a few Pakistani fighter jets during the combat, Air Marshal A K Bharti said: “Their planes were prevented from coming inside our border. So we do not have the wreckage with us but definitely we have downed a few planes.” 

 

Here are some of the major pointers from the press conference: 

Reference to 22 April attack:

  26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam's Baisaran valley, following which the Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation to the terror attack. 

 

Measures taken by CCS: 

Recognising the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided upon the following measures:

 

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism

 

The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025

 

Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES)

 

The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared persona non grata

 

The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025

 

Purpose of Operation Sindoor: 

Conceived to punish perpetrators and planners of terror

 

Aimed to destroy terror infrastructure across the border

 

Intelligence and target selection: 

Carried out a microscopic scan of the terror landscape

 

Identified numerous terror camps and training sites

 

Operational ethics and restraint: 

Operated under self-imposed restraint to avoid collateral damage

 

Only terrorist targets were to be neutralised, avoiding civilian harm

 

Final targets: 

9 confirmed terror camps, based on multi-agency intelligence 

 

Key targets:

 

Bhawalpur (terrorist training camp)

 

Muridke (another key terrorist training site)

 

Results of the strikes: 

Over 100 terrorists killed in the action

 

11 air bases in Pakistan destroyed

 

Indian Army inflicted heavy damage in response to Pakistan’s intrusion

 

High-value targets eliminated include: 

Yusuf Azhar

 

Abdul Malik Rauf

 

Mudassir Ahmad

 

These individuals were linked to the IC-814 hijack and Pulwama blast

 

India's retaliatory response: 

India conducted retaliatory strikes on:

 

Radar installations in Lahore

 

Radar facilities near Gujranwala, which were destroyed

 

Countdown to ceasefire: 

Inflicted by this heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO. It was agreed that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and at sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time on 10 May 2025

 

Pakistani response after ceasefire:

  Even after the ceasefire, a wave of UAVs and small drones intruded into Indian civilian and military areas

 

These drones were successfully intercepted

 

India’s response: 

A befitting response was given by Indian armed forces. Further, all field commanders have been authorised to take appropriate action in case of any ceasefire violation