In retaliation for the mounting ceasefire breaches by Pakistan, the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy carried out a measured sequence of targeted strikes, attacking terror-related infrastructure on the Western Front. The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs)—Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai (Army), Air Marshal AK Bharti (Air Force), and Vice Admiral AN Pramod (Navy)—addressed the media together, providing a rare glimpse into the operating details and India’s messaging strategy.
Air Bases Hit in Pakistan
Air Marshal AK Bharti emphasized that India had succeeded in achieving what it had set out to do with accuracy and purpose. “Whatever means and whatever techniques were adopted, it produced the desired results on the enemy targets,” he explained. Brushing aside the necessity of putting figures to the enemy casualties, he continued, “How many casualties? How many injuries? Our aim was not to inflict casualties, but in case there have been, it is for them to count. Our job is to hit the target, not to count the body bags.”
He elaborated further on the extent of the strikes, “A decision was taken to strike where it would hurt and towards that in a swift, coordinated, calibrated attack, we stuck its air bases, command centers, military infrastructure, air defence systems across the entire Western Front. The bases we stuck includes Chaklala, Rafiq, Rahim Yar Khan sending a clear message that aggression will not be tolerated. This was followed by strikes at Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad…We have the capability to target every system at these bases and more…”
“How many Casualties? It is FOR THEM TO COUNT. Our Job is to HIT the targets, Not to count the BODY BAGS.”?
~ STATEMENT OF THE DAY. JAI HIND ??? pic.twitter.com/8I69hitBQQ
— The Analyzer (News Updates?️) (@Indian_Analyzer) May 11, 2025
Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai asserted that 35 to 40 Pakistani soldiers were thought to have been killed in retaliatory action along the Line of Control (LoC), but he added that the extent of casualties is still being evaluated. “I mentioned 35-40 on the Line of Control and please remember that once Operation Sindoor was launched, the responses of the Pakistan Army were also on Indian Army or the Indian Armed Forces infrastructure…Our targets were terror-oriented and later, once they launched air intrusions and air operations on our infrastructure, we’ve used heavier weapons and there would have been casualties, but those are still being assessed…,” he said.
Ceasefire Proposal and Immediate Violations
Lt Gen Ghai revealed that Pakistan had approached the hotline of the military to offer a ceasefire on May 10. “My communication with the Pak DGMO was conducted at 15:35 hrs yesterday and resulted in cessation of cross-border firing and air intrusions by either side with effect from 17:00 hrs, 10th of May, after he proposed that we cease hostilities,” he said. The two sides had decided to meet again on May 12 to talk about additional peace initiatives.
But hope for peace proved short-lived. “However, disappointingly, expectedly it took only a couple of hours for Pakistan Army to violate these arrangements by cross border and across Line of Control firing followed by drone intrusions through last night and in the early hours of today,” Lt Gen Ghai said.
India’s Clear Message: Retaliation Will Be Fierce
India reacted in quick time to these provocations and has made a strong threat. “We have just now sent another hotline message to my counterpart emphasizing these breaches. And our firm and unequivocal will to respond to these aggressively if repeated tonight, subsequently or thereafter,” Ghai claimed. He also confirmed that the Chief of Army Staff had approved full capability for counter-action with Indian commanders.
With tensions still simmering, the Indian military has been categorical in making it clear that aggression of any form will be met with an unyielding reaction.
