Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, addressed the media and confirmed that over 100 terrorists were eliminated during precision strikes on nine identified terror camps. Among those neutralized were high-profile operatives Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudassir Ahmed — key figures linked to the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.
“You all are aware of the horrific incident in Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 innocent lives were lost in a brutal terrorist attack,” said Lt Gen Ghai. “Operation Sindoor was initiated with a clear military objective — to punish the perpetrators and planners of terrorism and to dismantle their infrastructure.”
He explained that a meticulous intelligence-led operation preceded the strikes. “We conducted thorough surveillance across the terror landscape beyond the border. Many camps and training grounds were identified. Some had already been vacated due to fear of Indian retaliation,” he said, adding that self-imposed operational constraints were observed to avoid civilian casualties and unnecessary escalation.
Nine terrorist camps were ultimately selected based on intelligence inputs. These were located in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan’s Punjab province. “Locations such as Muridke — a known hub of Lashkar-e-Taiba and birthplace of terrorists like Ajmal Kasab and David Headley — were among the targets,” Lt Gen Ghai revealed.
The operation, he added, was a coordinated effort. “The Indian Air Force played a critical role in executing precision strikes on these targets, while the Indian Navy provided support with advanced weaponry and logistics.”
Following India’s airstrikes, Pakistan reportedly violated the Line of Control (LoC), targeting civilian areas, villages, and even religious sites like gurdwaras. “This reckless response led to unfortunate civilian casualties on our side,” Ghai noted.
The briefing underscored India's commitment to counter-terrorism and highlighted the military's capability to respond decisively to threats. The Army Chief reiterated that any future acts of terrorism would be met with an even stronger and more strategic retaliation.