
'We struck Pakistani airbases, command centres, military infrastructure, and air defence systems': Air Marshal AK Bharti
New Delhi: The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai in a special press briefing on Sunday, 11 May 2025 said that the Pakistan Army lost close to 35-40 of its personnel between May 7-10 when India launched retaliatory counterstrike responding to its aggression and as part of Operation Sindoor to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attacks in which 26 Indians were killed.
Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai also said that the Operation Sindoor was conceptualised with a clear military aim to punish the perpetrators and planners of terror and to destroy their terror infrastructure.
'Our aim on the 7th of May was to target terrorists and their infrastructure, not any other infrastructure, especially not Pakistani civilian or military establishments, and we achieved this with precision. However, on the evening of 7th May, we were subjected to a wave of Pakistani unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and small drones, which targeted both our civilian and military areas. They were successfully intercepted. While three drones managed to land, they caused minimal damage,' he said.
'On the night of 8-9 May, they (Pakistan) flew drones and aircraft into our airspace all across the borders and made largely unsuccessful attempts to target numerous military infrastructure. Violations on the LoC by Pakistan also commenced yet again and precipitated into fierce engagements,' the Army further stated.
Air Marshal AK Bharti said that India struck Pakistani airbases, command centres, military infrastructure, and air defence systems across the entire Western Front in a coordinated and calibrated manner.
'The bases we struck include Chaklala, Rafiqui, and Rahim Yar Khan, sending a clear message that aggression will not be tolerated. This was followed by strikes at Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad,' he said adding that our focus was not on counting the casualties but on hitting the terror targets.
'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 said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
21 minutes ago
- Hans India
Tharoor Declares VP Election Outcome Predetermined As BJP's Numerical Advantage Makes Victory Inevitable
Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor has candidly acknowledged that the upcoming Vice Presidential election outcome is essentially predetermined, given the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's commanding numerical superiority in Parliament. Speaking to media representatives on Sunday, the Kerala MP expressed resignation about the electoral mathematics while maintaining hope for meaningful opposition consultation in the selection process. Tharoor's frank assessment comes as the nation prepares for the September 9 Vice Presidential election, necessitated by Jagdeep Dhankhar's unexpected resignation in July. The seasoned politician emphasized that the result would inevitably favor whoever the ruling coalition chooses to nominate, citing the clear composition of the electoral college that will decide the contest. The former diplomat's comments reflect the stark political reality facing the opposition in the current parliamentary configuration. Unlike presidential elections that include state assembly members, the Vice Presidential contest involves only Members of Parliament, where the NDA enjoys a decisive advantage through its substantial representation in both houses of Parliament. Despite acknowledging the mathematical certainty of the NDA's victory, Tharoor expressed optimism that the ruling alliance might engage in consultations with opposition parties during the candidate selection process. However, he remained pragmatic about the likelihood of such consultation, noting the uncertainty surrounding whether the government would seek cross-party input. The timing of Tharoor's statements has drawn additional attention due to his recent tensions with his own party leadership. The Congress MP has faced internal criticism following his participation in government-sponsored international delegations after the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor military actions against Pakistan. His selection for these diplomatic missions without prior party consultation reportedly caused friction within Congress ranks. Further complicating his relationship with party leadership, Tharoor's public praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during these international trips drew sharp criticism from Congress colleagues. The party's displeasure became evident when Tharoor was notably excluded from the list of speakers during Parliament's debate on Operation Sindoor, despite his extensive diplomatic experience and ministerial background in the previous UPA government. When questioned about his absence from the parliamentary debate speakers' roster, Tharoor responded with characteristic wit, simply stating "maunvrat" (vow of silence), indicating his diplomatic approach to the internal party tensions surrounding his recent activities. The Vice Presidential election assumes particular significance given the unusual circumstances of Dhankhar's resignation. The incumbent's decision to step down marked an unprecedented event, as no sitting Vice President had previously resigned mid-term without seeking higher office. Dhankhar's departure came with over two years remaining in his tenure, and the reasons behind his sudden resignation continue to fuel political speculation. The electoral mechanics for the September 9 contest involve a total of 782 parliamentarians, comprising 543 Lok Sabha members and 233 elected Rajya Sabha members, plus 12 nominated Rajya Sabha members. Current vacancies in both houses have slightly reduced the effective electoral college strength from the theoretical maximum. The election process will unfold at Parliament House, with polling scheduled between 10 AM and 5 PM in room F-101 on the first floor if a contest materializes. Results will be announced the same day, potentially concluding what many observers consider a foregone conclusion given the numerical realities. The Congress-led opposition faces the challenging task of fielding a candidate capable of mounting a credible challenge despite the mathematical disadvantage. Opposition leaders are likely to use the campaign as a platform to articulate their vision and critique government policies, even while acknowledging the slim prospects of electoral success. Tharoor's assessment reflects broader opposition frustrations with the current parliamentary arithmetic, where the NDA's substantial majority has enabled it to advance its agenda with minimal consultation. His hope for meaningful dialogue represents the opposition's desire for more collaborative governance, even in areas where the ruling alliance possesses the numerical strength to act unilaterally. The Vice Presidential contest will serve as another test of opposition unity and the NDA's continued political dominance in national politics. While the outcome may be predetermined, the campaign period will provide insights into political strategies and relationships as both sides prepare for future electoral battles where the stakes and uncertainties may be considerably higher.


Economic Times
21 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Pakistan intensifies crackdown in third phase of Afghan deportations
The Pakistani government has intensified the third phase of its forced deportation drive targeting Afghan migrants, with operations now gaining momentum in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following similar actions in Sindh and Punjab, Tolo News to a statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, "All provincial governments are instructed that from now on, the presence of Afghan nationals without valid visas and passports in Pakistan is illegal, and they must be arrested and deported."Tolo News quoted Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal, head of the temporary Omari camp in Torkham township, as saying: "Organized arrangements have been made for the returnees. All committees are providing services efficiently. The transport committee covers travel expenses and ensures they reach their respective provinces. The finance committee provides them with 8,000 to 10,000 Afghanis. The health committee has set up clinics for treatment, and the temporary housing committee has installed tents for their accommodation." Despite these arrangements, several Afghan families holding valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards have recounted incidents of mistreatment at the hands of Pakistani officials. Ziaul Haq, one of the deportees, told Tolo News, "We were very happy to return to our homeland. This is our own land. In Pakistan, Afghan refugees are treated with no dignity and are humiliated." Another deportee, Hedayatullah, shared his ordeal, saying: "I got a call from home saying to come quickly because our belongings had been packed. We were treated very badly there, despite having PoR cards and legal documents." Inzamamul Haq, a 28-year-old resident of Kunar province, was recently deported with his family from Punjab after living in Pakistan for four decades. "When we reached the checkpoint, they demanded 200,000 Pakistani rupees. They gave us two days, took our documents, and when our vehicle arrived, they took the money, returned our documents, and deported us," he told Tolo latest phase of forced deportations unfolds as the acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is expected to visit Pakistan in the near future.


News18
30 minutes ago
- News18
PCB issues blanket ban on future participation in WCL
Lahore, Aug 3 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced a blanket ban on its players' participation in future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), accusing the tournament organisers of being 'biased" and lacking sporting integrity. The decision follows a sequence of events in which the Indian team forfeited both their group-stage clash and semifinal against Pakistan, citing the country's stand against bilateral sporting ties with the neighbouring country after the gruesome Pahalagam terror attack. 'The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces that it is issuing a blanket ban from future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL)," the PCB said in a statement after its board of governors meeting held virtually under the chairmanship of Mohsin Naqvi. The PCB also took strong exception to the WCL's decision to award points to India despite the forfeiture, calling it 'tainted with hypocrisy and bias." India and Pakistan had been slated to meet in the group stage, but the Indian side — featuring Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, and Harbhajan Singh — refused to play, citing national sentiment following the terror attack and India's subsequent 'Operation Sindoor'. With India also pulling out of the semifinal, Pakistan advanced directly to the final. 'The PCB reviewed with considerable disappointment WCL's appalling conduct of awarding points to a willfully forfeiting team, and the content of the press releases of the WCL announcing the cancellation of the scheduled India vs. Pakistan legends matches, which were tainted with hypocrisy and bias." Criticising the tournament's handling of the situation, the PCB said, 'The cancellation was not based on cricketing merit but on appeasing a specific nationalistic narrative. This sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community." The board further stated that it could not allow its players to participate in events where 'the spirit of the game is overshadowed by skewed politics that undermine the very essence of sportsmanship and the gentleman's game." The WCL, which is co-owned by Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, had earlier issued an apology for 'hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions" following the cancellation of the group stage match. 'We sincerely apologise again for hurting the sentiments and hope people will understand that all we ever wanted was to bring a few happy moments to the fans," the WCL had said. The PCB, however, termed the apology 'farcical," accusing the organisers of caving to 'a specific nationalistic narrative." 'The WCL's apology for 'hurting the sentiments", whilst being farcical, inadvertently acknowledges that the cancellation was not based on cricketing merit, but rather on succumbing to a specific nationalistic narrative," the PCB said. 'This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community." PCB said it had no choice but to implement the ban. 'In light of this unfortunate development, which underscores a clear and intolerable pattern of external influence and a disregard for the principles of sporting neutrality, the Pakistan Cricket Board is compelled to take a firm stance. 'The PCB can no longer condone participation in an event where the fundamental principles of fair play and unbiased administration are compromised by external pressures," it added. Sources in the know of things have indicated that WCL's Indian promoters were already considering dropping the Pakistan team from future editions of the tournament. PTI APA AH AH view comments First Published: August 03, 2025, 13:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.