New Delhi, May 12: India struck with precision and coordinated raids on terrorist infrastructure across the Pakistan border and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the ghastly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 innocent civilians, including tourists.
At a joint press conference addressed by the chiefs of all three Indian defense forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—the officials announced the operation to ensure that India met its strategic aims without taking the conflict beyond reasonable limits.
“We Achieved Our Target, All Pilots Safe.” —- IAF
Air Marshal Avdhesh Kumar Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO), asserted that all Indian pilots safely returned and no Indian aircraft were captured or downed by Pakistan, debunking Islamabad’s baseless claims. He added that some Pakistani fighter jets and drones were indeed downed but declined to provide specific figures, citing technical verifications were still underway.
The IAF carried out surgical precision attacks on major Pakistani military installations, such as Chaklala and Rafiki airbases and radar installations in Lahore and Gujranwala, demonstrating India’s ability to strike deep into enemy lines. Bharti stressed that India’s battle was not against Pakistan’s army but against terrorist camps, clearly stating that civilian or unrelated military targets were avoided intentionally.
Army: 100+ Terrorists Eliminated, Key Hideouts Destroyed
Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai disclosed that the Army destroyed nine terrorist camps, four of them in Pakistan and five in PoK, killing more than 100 terrorists, including key commanders like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik, and Mudassir Ahmed, who were responsible for the Kandahar hijack and Pulwama attack.
He confirmed that 21 terror camps have been located, and military action on the remaining 12 will await future considerations. The strikes were conducted with a minimum of collateral damage, highlighting India’s adherence to precision warfare with humanitarian protocols.
Navy’s Stealth Deployment in the Arabian Sea
Vice Admiral AN Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations, revealed that the Indian Navy was placed on complete combat alert and set to conduct sea-based strikes, specifically targeting Karachi Port and coastal military installations, if the need had been felt. The Navy had put to sea warships and missile systems in 96 hours of the Pahalgam attack, establishing tri-services coordination and strategic readiness.
Pakistan’s Retaliation and Ceasefire Violation
Despite India’s limited, focused strikes, Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile attacks on the night of May 8-9, targeting Indian military bases from Srinagar to Phalodi. However, all attacks were successfully intercepted, and no damage was inflicted on Indian assets.
A ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10 at 5 PM but was violated by Pakistan within three hours, as confirmed by Air Marshal Bharti. In response, India issued a firm warning and retained the right to act decisively against future provocations.
Five Indian Soldiers Martyred, 40 Pakistani Soldiers Killed
While confirming the death of five Indian soldiers in border clashes post-Operation Sindoor, the armed forces revealed that 35 to 40 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory strikes. However, Bharti reiterated that India’s main objective was eliminating terror camps, not targeting Pakistani military personnel.
Strategic Preparedness and Future Warning
All three armed forces emphasized that India remains prepared for any further escalation, and commanders have been given autonomy to respond to violations. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has endorsed continued surveillance and strike-readiness.
Bharti concluded, “We retaliated where it hurt the most. We want peace, but if provoked, India will not hesitate to act again. Our sovereignty and national security are non-negotiable.”
As the region watches cautiously, India’s unified and restrained response through Operation Sindoor sends a strong message not just to Pakistan but to any actor threatening India’s peace and stability.
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