Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi, (DD):In a strong warning to Pakistan, India’s armed forces on Sunday declared that any further violation of the recent bilateral military understanding would face a “fierce and punitive” response. The announcement came during a joint press conference held in New Delhi by top commanders of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal AK Bharti, and Vice Admiral AN Pramod stated that Indian forces are on high alert and fully prepared to counter any cross-border aggression.
Lt Gen Ghai revealed that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations had reached out on May 10 proposing a halt to hostilities, with a follow-up dialogue scheduled for May 12. However, the ceasefire was breached within hours. “We conveyed our concerns through the hotline and made it clear that further violations would be met with force,” he said.
He added that the Chief of Army Staff has authorized all field commanders to respond decisively to any act of intrusion along the Line of Control (LoC) or International Border.
When asked whether the ceasefire was meant to last only three days, Lt Gen Ghai clarified, “The understanding was intended to cease hostilities, not just for three days. Unfortunately, it was violated shortly after being proposed.”
Decisive Strikes After Pahalgam Attack
Lt Gen Ghai detailed Operation Sindoor, a large-scale retaliatory strike launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
“Following the attack, it became necessary to deliver a firm blow to the terror networks,” he said. Nine major terror camps were identified and struck in a coordinated operation. Over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar — linked to the IC-814 hijacking and Pulwama bombing — were eliminated.
He emphasized that all Indian strikes were limited to terror infrastructure, while Pakistan retaliated by targeting civilian areas and religious places.
When asked if more camps would be targeted, he said, “If the situation demands, yes.”
Air Force Targets Deep Inside Pakistan
Air Marshal Bharti outlined the IAF’s role, saying precision strikes were carried out on terror hubs in Muridke and Bahawalpur. “We took every measure to avoid civilian or military infrastructure and focused solely on eliminating terrorist bases.”
He shared satellite imagery showing the destruction of training camps and infrastructure, including a double-storey building in Muridke. “Despite continuous drone intrusions by Pakistan, all were intercepted successfully by our air defence systems,” he noted.
Indian airstrikes also hit 11 Pakistani airbases including Nur Khan, Rafiqui, Sukkur, and Sialkot, reportedly damaging 20% of Pakistan’s air assets. Heavy casualties were confirmed at Bholari Air Base.
Navy’s Strategic Dominance in Arabian Sea
Vice Admiral Pramod said that within 96 hours of the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Navy had deployed critical assets in the Arabian Sea, forcing Pakistan into a defensive maritime stance. “Our rapid maritime mobilization played a key role in pushing Pakistan to propose a ceasefire.”
Heavy Losses for Pakistan
While India has withheld details of its own casualties, officials confirmed that 35–40 Pakistani soldiers were killed in LoC exchanges. The overall operation led to the elimination of over 100 terrorists. When asked about Pakistani jets being shot down, Air Marshal Bharti said high-tech enemy aircraft were indeed hit and prevented from crossing the border.
India’s Edge in Modern Warfare
Responding to whether Operation Sindoor is still active, the commanders said the campaign remains calibrated, and further responses will be tailored to the situation. They asserted India’s technological and numerical edge over Pakistan.
“Our fight is with terror, not the Pakistani military—but we are prepared for any scenario,” said Lt Gen Ghai. Air Marshal Bharti added, “Our strikes deep into Pakistani territory reflect a doctrinal shift. No region will be off-limits in our fight against terrorism. India’s superiority was evident—Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and HAMMER bombs delivered precise results without loss (DD)
