India, Pak DGMOs Hold Crucial Talks
New Delhi, May 12:
In the second press briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor’ within 24 hours, Air Marshal AK Bharti said India acted against terrorism but Pakistan supported the latter so the Indian armed forces retaliated.
“We reiterate that our fight is against terrorism and its support infrastructure not Pakistan military. But Pakistan chose to protect the terrorists so we retaliated. As our fight is against terrorism, on May 7 we targeted only terror camps,” Bharti said.
He also blamed Pakistan for the losses it had incurred. “Our action was necessary. Whatever damages Pakistan incurred is due to them. On our side, their attack resulted in minimal effect. Our air defence system stood as a wall and to penetrate it was almost impossible for the enemy. We had an integrated multi-layered air defence system, which was guarding the air. Our Air Force protected military and civilian infrastructure. Several drones and unmanned vehicles employed by Pakistan were destroyed by our indigenous system,” Bharti said.
“India will remain ready to undertake any future missions,” he added.
Bharti thanked the government for its support in the procurement of state-of-the art military weapons. The performance of the indigenous air defence system was excellence and the old ones stood the test of time, he said adding, “Our indigenous Akash system showed stellar performance,” he said.
Bharti shared many photographs and videos of destroyed Nur Khan airbase, missiles and drones reiterating that the Indian air defence system suffered a minimal loss.
Addressing the conference, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said the character of terrorist activities has changed in the last few years and Pahalgam was the last nail in the coffin. Pahalgam attack in April and Shiv Khori in 2024 are examples of new terror tactics, he said. “We were aware that Pakistan will launch an attack and we had prepared accordingly with our multi-layer aerial defence system,” Ghai said adding, there was total synergy in the three forces.
He lauded Border Security Force (BSF) for playing a vital role in the operation. “They also took part in the operation and helped us with their counter alert system,” Ghai said.
He also drew a parallel between cricket and military operations by referring to Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s retirement announcement earlier in the day.
Vice Admiral AN Pramod said Navy is maintaining a close watch. Multiple sensors and inputs are being used to neutralise threats, he said.
Meanwhile, the DGMOs of India and Pakistan are scheduled to hold talks this evening. The discussions are likely to be held on the agreement that was reached on May 10 on halting operations. However, hours after this agreement, India accused Pakistan of violating the terms saying, Pakistan drones were sighted and intercepted in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, EAM S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS and chiefs of three services.
The DGMO along with DGs of Air Forces and Navy had addressed a press conference last evening to inform about ‘Operation Sindoor’. The DGMO had said that 100 terrorists, including high value targets like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, were eliminated in the operation that was launched on May 7 in retaliation against Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly terrorists.
India on Monday said all its military bases and systems continue to remain fully operational and ready to undertake any mission if the need arises.
At a press briefing here, Director General of Air Operations, IAF, Air Marshal AK Bharti said India’s robust air defence system effectively thwarted Pakistani attempts to target Indian installations.
Another highlight was stellar performance of indigenous air defence weapons like Akash system, he said.
The Integrated Air Command and Control system thwarted Pakistan’s military offensives.
“Our fight was against terror infrastructure and terrorists but the Pakistan military chose to support terrorists and widened the conflict,” the top IAF officer said.
The Indian Army said earlier this morning, “The night remained largely peaceful across Jammu and Kashmir and other areas along the International Border”.
“No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days,” it said in a statement.
India launched Operation Sindoor on early May 7 to destroy nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack.
All subsequent retaliations to Pakistani offensives were carried out under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
India and Pakistan on Saturday last announced reaching an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with effect from 5 pm that day.
Meanwhile, The Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan on Monday deliberated on various aspects of the May 10 understanding reached between the two sides on cessation of hostilities.
The talks over the hotline were previously scheduled at 12 noon. However, they started at around 5 PM.
“The DGMO-level talks have concluded. Further details are awaited and will be shared in due course,” the Indian Army said.
The understanding on cessation of hostilities was announced following talks between the two DGMOs on Saturday.
Though there were cases of violation of the understanding by the Pakistani military on Saturday night, there were no such incidents on Sunday night.
“The night remained largely peaceful across Jammu & Kashmir and other areas along the international border,” the Army said in a brief statement.Fine dining reservationsJammu and Kashmir tourism
“No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days,” it said.
Hours ahead of the DGMO talks, senior officials of the Indian military addressed a media briefing, highlighting various aspects of the Operation Sindoor.
“We have iterated that our fight was with terrorists and their support infrastructure (in Pakistan),” Director General of Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti said.
“However, it is a pity that the Pakistan military chose to intervene and bat for the terrorists, which compelled us to respond in kind,” he said.
Under Operation Sindoor, India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10.
The Pakistani attempts were strongly responded to by the Indian side by inflicting heavy damage to a number of key Pakistani military installations including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Saturday evening announced that India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea, with immediate effect.
‘Operation Sindoor’ is not concluded yet and the cost of cross-border terrorism will be raised as Pakistan can’t continue with terrorism while expecting cooperation in areas of its choosing, sources said.
