Operation Sindoor: Ex-DGMO Rajiv Ghai says Pakistan ‘requested’ India to stop

Pakistan “requested India to stop” during Operation Sindoor, former Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said on Thursday, May 7, as the Indian armed forces commemorated the first anniversary of the multi-domain combat campaign.

The heads of military operations of the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and the Indian Army addressed a press conference in Jaipur on Thursday providing key details regarding various aspects of the operation that was billed as India’s most expansive combat mission to punish Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism.

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“Operation Sindoor was not an end and it was just the beginning,” Ghai, who played a major role in executing the operation in his capacity as the Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), said.

He said that the country carried out a calibrated and precise response and achieved its goals, while avoiding a prolonged conflict.

On May 7 last year, India carried out airstrikes on nine terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This was done in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists.

Ghai said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the strength of India’s indigenous defence capabilities. He further called “Atmanirbhar” a force multiplier, with more than 65 per cent of defence equipment now being manufactured domestically.

“Operation Sindoor proved that Atmanirbhar is not just a slogan, it is indeed a force multiplier. Today, over 65% of our defence equipment is being manufactured domestically. I also want to speak here of our exit strategy and escalation control,” Ghai said.

He added, “In an era of prolonged conflicts around the world, we struck hard, achieved clearly defined objectives and then decided to cease hostilities when the Pakistanis were compelled to negotiate and requested us to stop. The objectives were achieved through a calibrated shot and sharp shock that altered the enemy’s risk appetite and disrupted his command and control without locking India into a long-drawn war or conflict, the ill effects of which we are seeing in ongoing conflicts around the world.”

Ghai shared that intelligence agencies provided accurate information that was so critical to precision targeting.

“Cyber and electronic warfare units maintained information dominance. The government managed the international environment as also the internal security and public reassurance. The armed forces executed the kinetic phase with discipline, precision and minimal collateral impact. This multi-agency, multi-domain coordination will remain the template for future operations,” he said.

Further, he stated that Operation Sindoor showcased “indigenous capability.”

“A significant percentage of the weapon systems, munitions, rockets and missiles, sensors and electronic warfare suits that were employed were developed and produced in India. The BrahMos, Akash, advanced surveillance and targeting systems along with homegrown ammunition and spares, all played a decisive role. Indigenous equipment meant not only self-reliance but the flexibility to tailor these to our operational requirements, sustain and maintain supply chains and to respond with speed and confidence,” he added.