Sky, Land, Sea: Meet India's Top Defence Commanders Behind Operation Sindoor
Senior officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force addressed the nation on Sunday, revealing details of Operation Sindoor, a coordinated military strike carried out on May 7 targeting terror bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Punjab province.
Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Military Operations, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, and Vice Admiral AN Pramod confirmed that over 100 terrorists were killed during the operation. The strikes were launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.
Who Is Air Marshal AK Bharti?
Air Marshal AK Bharti is a fighter combat leader and currently serves as the Director General Air Operations (DGAO) of the Indian Air Force. Commissioned into the fighter stream in 1987, he is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and the National Defence College.
He was the Flight Commander and later Commanding Officer of a Sukhoi-30MKI squadron, and Commander of 2 Wing, Lohegaon (Pune). He has also served at Eastern and Central Air Commands, including as Senior Air Staff Officer.
Air Marshal Bharti has participated in major IAF exercises like Gagan Shakti, and led units in international air drills such as Exercise Indradhanush (2006) with the Royal Air Force and Exercise Garuda (2007) with the French Air Force.
His service has been recognised with the Vayu Sena Medal, a Chief of Air Staff Commendation (1997), and the rare distinction of "Three Stars" for accident-free flying.
Who Is Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai?
Lieutenant Gen Rajiv Ghai, a decorated officer of the Kumaon Regiment, was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1989 after graduating from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Over his 33-year career, he has held key command and staff roles, including leading counter-insurgency units in Jammu and Kashmir and serving in operational capacities at Army Headquarters.
He has commanded a battalion in the Western Sector, a brigade, and a division on the Northern Borders and held crucial positions such as Brigadier in the Military Operations Directorate and Colonel General Staff in a counter-insurgency division.
His most recent and prominent role was as the General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps, the Indian Army's operational core in Kashmir.
Lt Gen Ghai has been awarded the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and the Sena Medal (SM) for distinguished service.
Who Is Vice Admiral AN Pramod?
Vice Admiral AN Pramod is the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO). Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1990, he is a Sea King air operations and Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist. He is an alumnus of DSSC Wellington and Naval War College, Goa.
He has commanded INS Abhay, Shardul, Satpura, and Naval Air Station Utkrosh. His significant assignments include Fleet Operations Officer, Western Fleet, and senior staff roles in aircraft acquisition and the Naval Air Staff. He has also served as Deputy Commandant, INA, ACNS (Air) at Naval HQ, and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.
His service has been recognised with several honours, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Samanya Seva Medal, Operation Vijay Medal, Operation Parakram Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, and Long Service Medals marking 9, 20, and 30 years of service. He also holds the 50th and 75th Independence Anniversary Medals.
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India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"We support right of self-defence of each other": Israeli envoy on India's Operation Sindoor
New Delhi [India], June 13 (ANI): Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has expressed support for Operation Sindoor, which was launched by Indian Armed Forces on May 9, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), saying that Israel and India support the right of self-defence of each other. In an exclusive Interview with ANI, Azar stated that Israel and India have been working together to deal with common threats when it comes to building capabilities. He emphasised that India and Israel have a relationship of trust, and it will deepen as the challenges faced by the two nations increase. When asked about he sees Operation Sindoor, he responded, 'First of all, as much as we are not part of the conflict between India and Pakistan, India is not a part of the conflict between Iran and Israel. And therefore, it is very natural that we will not be involved directly in conflicts that we are not involved in. On the other hand, I think that we support the right of self-defence of each other, and we've been working together to deal with common threats when it comes to the building of capabilities. So we consider ourselves close friends and allies, strategic partners, and we want to be in a situation where this cooperation continues. I'm sure it will continue because it benefits both countries. This is a relationship of trust. and this will only deepen because the challenges against us are only mounting.' In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). Reuven Azar emphasised that nations are responding responsibly to Israel's action against Iran. He noted that Israel has shared intelligence with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), friends and Western powers and mentioned that they understand the 'ferocity and radicalism' coming from Iran. When asked about a perception that Israel is the aggressor following its strikes on Iran, Reuven Azar said, 'I haven't seen, I've seen the responses following what happened tonight. I think that many countries are responding in a very responsible way. Of course, they're in a situation of alarm and concern, but they haven't delegitimised our right to self-defence. I think the fact that we have shared intelligence, both with the IAEA and with other Western powers and other friends. People understand the ferocity and the radicalism coming from Iran, the fact that they have been doing all these activities to destroy us, and haven't seen condemnation so far. We are, of course, in touch with the Indian government as well, and we are coordinating briefs to our colleagues to present them with both the information we have and the action that we've taken.' Defending Israel's action against Iran, he stated that Israel has been acting very responsibly and has given many chances to Iran to retract from its policy. According to him, Iran intends to take Jerusalem and wants to control the Islamic world. Azar stated, 'I think that Israel has been acting very responsibly because we've been postponing this military action for a very long time. Iran has been given many, many chances to retract from this policy. They have been sanctioned, they've been negotiating with. We have seen many, many attempts by different countries in the world to try to divert Iran from this line of action, and the fact that we have reached this point is because it's an imminent moment that we couldn't continue living with, and therefore, we took action. I think people appreciate the degree of our restraint.' 'And I can tell you that many countries in the Arab world feel as threatened by Israel as Israel, if not more, because, you know, what the Iranians are doing is very clear for many countries. Iran wants to take Jerusalem, but it's only a stop on the way to Mecca and Medina. This is what they want to do. They want to control the Islamic world, and they have been attacking other countries in the past. Look what happened more than four years ago in Saudi Arabia when they directly attacked the oil production of Saudi Arabia. So, I think that Israel is actually supported, and people, even if they don't support, they understand why we are taking this action,' he added. He stressed that the international community is facing a challenge in dealing with rogue states and mentioned that the nations need to be more efficient in finding ways of dealing with them. When asked whether Israel understands India's apprehension with IAEA as Pakistan under its watch exchanged nuclear material for ballistic missile technology from North Korea, he responded, 'We have a problem with the success or lack of success of the international community in dealing with rogue states. When you want to generate world order and you put forward a series of agreements to create a code of conduct, and then some countries are abusing that, like Iraq, which, you know, cheated and tried to create a nuclear arsenal. Like Syria, under Assad, they cheated and worked to create a nuclear weapon. Like Libya, under Gaddafi, they did that. So, we have a challenge as an international community to deal with rogue states, and we have to be more efficient in finding ways of dealing with that, because if we fail, then we get to situations like we have today.' 'There have been countries assisting Iran in their nuclear program, the ballistic missile program, not only the country that you mentioned, but also North Korea and others. Israel is acting against an actor that has stated publicly time and again that it wants to annihilate us and has acted, taken action to attack us through their proxies. That is Iran. That's why we are acting against Iran and not against other countries, ' he added. Earlier in the day, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel began a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, as per The Times of Israel. He declared an emergency across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. 'Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,' The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said that he signed 'a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.' 'You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas,' Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Sirens wailed across Israel as the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet, as Israel began the airstrikes. (ANI)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Nomadic Elephant', 'Khaan Quest' exercises significant milestone in India's defence diplomacy: MoD
India-Mongolia bilateral military exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' and upcoming multinational exercise 'Khaan Quest' in that country mark a significant milestone in India's "expanding defence diplomacy " and underscore the strategic importance of its partnership with Mongolia, the defence ministry said on Friday. The 17th edition of Exercise Nomadic Elephant concluded today at Ulaanbaatar while Exercise Khaan Quest will kick off in Mongolia from June 14. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh along with Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, Director General Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement, attended the closing ceremony of exercise 'Nomadic Elephant'. "The conduct of exercises Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest marks a significant milestone in India's expanding defence diplomacy and underscores the strategic importance of its partnership with Mongolia," it said in a statement. The Indian Army contingent, comprising 45 personnel predominantly from a battalion of the Arunachal Scouts, actively participated in the two-week-long exercise in Ulaanbaatar. Live Events "The focus of the joint training was to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces while operating as a combined task force in semi-conventional scenarios in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under United Nations mandate," it said. Defence Secretary Singh commended the professionalism, dedication and conduct of the Indian soldiers during Exercise Nomadic Elephant. He said this exercise is a "testament to the enduring bond of friendship, mutual trust and shared cultural linkages between India and Mongolia". It served as a platform for meaningful military cooperation and demonstrates India's unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability , Singh was quoted as saying in the statement. He added that the Indian Army's contribution to such joint initiatives not only "enhances operational readiness but also reinforces India's role as a responsible stakeholder in global peacekeeping efforts". The defence secretary is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the multinational joint military exercise 'Khaan Quest' 2025 at the same location tomorrow, in which an Indian Army contingent is also participating. The annual joint military exercise, scheduled to be held from June 14-28, will bring together military forces from around the world to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities. The Indian Army contingent is being represented mainly by troops from a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment along with personnel from other services, the ministry said on June 11. "One woman officer and two women soldiers will also form part of the contingent," it had said. The previous edition of this exercise was conducted in Mongolia from July 27 to August 9, 2024. PTI Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Operation Sindoor And After: India Must Prepare For A Two-Front War
Last Updated: India should prepare for war not because it is imminent, but because peace must always be secured from a position of strength After Operation Sindoor, it has become abundantly clear that the spectre of a two-front war, where Pakistan and China work in tandem against us, is a reality that cannot be ignored anymore. The collaboration may not be overt, through a joint declaration of war, but the alliance of hostile congruence is undeniable. The idea of a collusive China-Pakistan military front against India is not new. Even before the ink dried on the Simla Agreement of 1972, Pakistan had begun cosying up to China. Their relationship, described over the years as 'higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans", is not just a diplomatic aphorism. It is a strategic reality that has gained menacing proportions in the last two decades. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative, snakes through territory India claims as its own—Gilgit-Baltistan. This project is not merely an infrastructure endeavour but a visible assertion of China's strategic intent in India's immediate periphery. Add to this, regular joint military exercises, arms sales, intelligence sharing, and even potential nuclear cooperation, and one begins to grasp the nature of the challenge that confronts us. There are those who argue that war is improbable, if not impossible, in the nuclear age. To them, the logic of mutual deterrence ensures peace. But history has shown that even nuclear-armed nations can engage in limited wars or protracted conflicts below the threshold of nuclear engagement. Kargil in 1999, Galwan in 2020, Uri in 2016, Balakot in 2019, and Operation Sindoor (2025) are reminders of this reality. Moreover, one cannot ignore that China is no longer the aloof continental power it once was. Under Xi Jinping, it has adopted an aggressive, almost imperial posture—whether in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, or along the Line of Actual Control with India. Its claims are expansive, its patience limited, and its contempt for the rules-based international order increasingly visible. On the other hand, Pakistan, emboldened by its nuclear arsenal and sustained by a military that acts with near impunity, has found in China not only a patron but also a strategic mentor. The two have aligned not only militarily but ideologically—in their contempt for India's rise and its civilisational model. The time has, therefore, come to actively prepare to deal with this scenario. National security cannot be a matter of episodic attention triggered by the next skirmish on the border or an election season. It requires sustained investment—intellectual, financial, and diplomatic. In other words, we need to put in place a national strategic and defence policy. What could be its possible elements? Expand alliances with like-minded nations. Strategic autonomy does not mean strategic solitude. The ability to balance our interests with Russia and America is particularly important. Both are important sources of defence supplies. Simultaneously, we must strengthen Quad partnerships, further improve ties with ASEAN, and maintain a functional dialogue with China. Equally, we need to accelerate our ongoing defence indigenisation while selectively sourcing cutting-edge technologies from allies. We must also Invest much more in cyber and space defence, where the wars of the future will be shaped before the first bullet is fired. Our efforts to upgrade our border defence infrastructure must be urgently expedited. Finally, we must ensure internal political stability and social harmony. A nation divided within, cannot be united without. While pursuing the above, there is no need for paranoia. We have certain undeniable strengths, and both Pakistan and China have their obvious weaknesses. Pakistan is a nation on the verge of implosion. It is politically unstable—a sham democracy, ostensibly ruled by an unpopular civilian government, but actually run by an army junta that is fast losing credibility. It is also financially bankrupt, running on international doles, most of which goes to pay off old debts. It is internally facing secessionist threats, including unrest in Balochistan and POK. Its most popular leader is languishing in jail, and his party is under shackles. China's economy is lagging, internal resentments over unemployment are growing, and it lacks the safety valve of a democracy. Moreover, under Xi Jinping, its imperialist posture is creating an increasingly cohesive international pushback. Allying with a failed and unstable state like Pakistan could prove to be a proposition with diminishing returns for the Chinese. As against the above, India is a democratic country with close to 1.5 billion people, the fastest growing economy in the globe, and a nuclear power with one of the finest armed forces in the world. It is also one of the world's largest emerging markets, and an entrepreneurial hub. Yet, India must prepare for a two-front war. Not because war is imminent, but because peace must always be secured from a position of strength. For in the end, as Kautilya wrote in the Arthashastra: 'He who is prepared, is the master of his own destiny.' The writer is a former diplomat, an author, and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:16 IST News opinion Opinion | Operation Sindoor And After: India Must Prepare For A Two-Front War
