India’s response to Pahalgam massacre was, precise: Lt Gen Ghai

Over 1 lakh displaced, 18,000 killed in J&K since 1990

New Delhi, Oct 14: Director General Military Operations (DGMO) and Army’s Deputy Chief Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Tuesday said that India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack was measured, meticulously planned and carried out with precision.

Speaking at a function here, Lt Gen Ghai described the Pahalgam attack — in which 26 tourists were shot dead by terrorists — as a “sponsored” cross-Line of Control (LoC) strike in which terrorists singled out victims on the basis of community. “They asked for the community that they came from and shot them in cold blood in front of their families and loved ones,” he said.

“There were immediate claimers; this was ‘glory’. However, when the Kashmir Resistance Front initially claimed the attack, they realised that matters had possibly gone beyond their control, and they immediately withdrew,” Lt Gen Ghai added, underscoring that while a response was inevitable, the armed forces intentionally took time to plan and prioritise targets.

He said operations evolved between April 22 and the night of May 6–7, during which precautionary deployments were made along borders and multiple services and government agencies coordinated closely. “The final selection of targets was carried out from a large number of targets that we scrutinised,” he said, noting a concurrent “harmonised and proactive information warfare campaign.”

Describing the military escalation in early May, Lt Gen Ghai said drone activity intensified even after two DGMOs had addressed the situation, prompting the Indian Air Force to act. In precision strikes on the nights of May 9 and 10, he said, Indian forces struck 11 Pakistani air bases — damaging eight bases, three hangars and four radars — and destroyed several Pakistani air assets on the ground.

He also claimed the destruction of one C-130 class aircraft, one AEW (airborne early warning) platform, and “four to five fighter jets,” with some assets also destroyed in the air.

“We now know that the world’s longest ever ground-to-air kill was at 300 kilometres plus and five high-tech fighters,” Lt Gen Ghai said, adding that the “impunity” with which the attacks were conducted by the perpetrators was a key factor prompting a strong response.

All figures and operational details were attributed by Lt Gen Ghai to India’s operational account of the events. The DGMO emphasised that the deliberate timing and multi-service coordination of the response reflected the armed forces’ flexibility and intent to deliver a carefully calibrated, effective retaliation.

The Army Deputy Chief while referring to the turmoil that prevailed in J&K for three decades said, “Over 1,00,000 people, including around 60,000 minority families, had to leave Jammu and Kashmir since 1990 due to threats and violence.”

He said, “More than 15,000 civilians and 3,000 security personnel lost their lives in the region over the years.”

‘Op Sindoor 2.0’ will be stronger: Lt Gen Katiyar

Jammu Tawi, Oct 14: Warning Pakistan that ‘Operation Sindoor 2.0’ would be stronger than the first one, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, on Tuesday said that if the neighbouring country refuses to mends its ways it can pay a very heavy price this time around.

Lieutenant General Katiyar while talking to reporters here, said, “Operation Sindoor 2.0 would be stronger than the first phase.”

Pertinently, Operation Sindoor was launched after the April 22 Pahlagm terror attack that left 26 civilians, mostly tourists dead. The Indian armed forces attacked nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The skirmishes that followed continued for 4-days until Pakistan Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out to his counterpart in India and requested for a ceasefire.

In a strongly worded message, Lt Gen Katiyar said, “If Pakistan repeats what it did, then what we do next will be more than the last time. Operation Sindoor 2.0 has to be more powerful.”

Lt Gen Katiyar said Pakistan follows a policy of causing harm through multiple smaller actions rather than open conflict. “It does not have the capacity to fight a war with us. It does not want to fight a war. Its actions are part of the policy of ‘bleed India through a thousand cuts’,” he said.

Asked if similar attacks like the one in Pahalgam could happen again, he said, “Until there is a change in Pakistan’s thinking, it will continue with these actions.”

Earlier during his address at an ex-servicemen rally held to mark 60 years since the 1965 India-Pakistan War ceasefire, Lt Gen Katiyar said that public support played a key role during Operation Sindoor. “We acted after our people were killed. The response was carried out with the support of the administration, ex-servicemen, and local people.”

He said the army remains prepared to act again if needed. “Pakistan will try again. It has always tried to repeat Pahalgam-type attacks. The army is ready to respond. The action this time will be more than last time.”

Referring to the 1965 war, Lt Gen Katiyar said that Pakistan had miscalculated the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. “They sent around 10,000 Razakars trained by their army. But they failed to understand the people here. The public supported the army. We were able to drive them back.”

He said that the same level of support will be required if another response becomes necessary.

Lieutenant General Manoj Katiyar hailed Operation Sindoor, saying the Indian Army gave a befitting reply to Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. “Terrorists killed our innocent people. Our befitting reply to Pakistan taught them a lesson.”

He assured the public of the Indian Army’s readiness to thwart future attacks by the neighbouring country.