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India.com
12-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Who is Air Marshal AK Bharti, the man who planned demolition of Pakistan's terror industry during Op Sindoor?
Air Marshal AK Bharti played a key role in planning Operation Sindoor. (File) Air Marshal AK Bharti: The Indian armed forces demolished terror infrastructures and killed over 100 terrorists, deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), in a series in midnight missile strikes on May 7, in response to last month's barbaric Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians, mostly Indian Hindu tourists, were killed in cold blood by terrorists. Over the last few days, details have emerged about Operation Sindoor, and the roles each of India's tri-forces — Indian Army, the Indian Airforce, and the Indian Navy– played during the conflict that lasted over four days. One key name which has emerged as being the architect of planning the destruction of Pakistan's terror industry is Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director-General of Operations for the IAF. Lets us find out more about this decorated officer and his role in dismantling Pakistan's terror industry: Who is Air Marshal AK Bharti? A decorated veteran officer with nearly two decades of services, Air Marshal Avdhesh Kumar Bharti was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 13, 1987, and is a fighter combat leader, who led a Sukhoi-30 MKI squadron from August 2005 to September 2007, where he was instrumental in operationalising the weapon systems of the aircraft and developing tactics. Under his command, the Sukhoi-30 MKI squadron was involved in major exercises including Gagan Shakti, Indradhanush 2006 (with the Royal Air Force), and Garuda 2007 (with the French Air Force). A postgraduate of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and the National Defence College (NDC), AK Bharti is credited with operationalising modern weapon systems for the IAF, and developing new strategies for penetrating enemy territory. In 1997, Air Marshal Bharti was awarded CAS Commendation in 1997 by the Chief of Air Staff for work devotion, and in 2008, he was conferred with the Vayu Sena Medal 'extraordinary devotion to duty and excellent leadership', specifically for his role in operationalising the Sukhoi-30 MKI squadron and improving its combat effectiveness. Bharti has also been conferred with the Accident-Free Flying award, and 'Three Stars' for accident-free flying. He has served as the Director General Air Operations (DGAO) since September 2023. Air Marshal Bharti's role in Operation Sindoor As the DGAO of the IAF, Air Marshal AK Bharti was among those who planned and conducted the May 7 precision air strikes on terror targets inside Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor. In a joint press briefing of the tri-forces on Sunday, Bharti revealed how IAF struck terrorist training camps in Bahawalpur and Muridke, and Pakistan's air bases in Chakala, Rafiq, and Rahim Yar Khan. In another briefing on Monday, the officer also confirmed that the IAF struck several targets in Karachi, including Malir Cantonment, a military base located 35km from the Pakistani city. Bharti said that India's 'measured and calibrated' response to Pakistani aggression – i.e., the drone and missile strikes, and small arms fire and artillery shelling across the border – was the targeting of military installations, including a surface-to-air missile site at Malir Cantonment in Karachi.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is AK Bharti? One of the minds behind India's air strikes against Pakistan
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti on Sunday and Monday addressed the nation on the precision strikes of the India Air Force (IAF) during the recent India-Pakistan standoff. AK Bharti briefed how the air defence system detected, tracked, monitored, and destroyed the threats in the air. During the address, AK Bharti said that Operation Sindoor was a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the fight was solely against the terrorists and their support networks. He highlighted how the commitment was to minimize the damage to the Pakistan army and civilians. AK Bharti is a decorated officer of the IAF, currently serving as the Director General of Air Operations (DGAO). He was commissioned into the Flying branch of the IAF in the year 1987. He was promoted to the rank of Air Marshal in September 2023. AK Bharti took charge as Commanding Officer of a Sukhoi-30 MKI Squadron on 16 August 2005. The unit had recently received the advanced Phase III version of the aircraft, and AK Bharti was given the critical task of making its weapon systems fully operational and developing suitable tactics. Flt Lt : 13 Jun 1992 Wg Cdr : 11 May 2004 Acting Gp Capt : 13 Sep 2010 Gp Capt : 01 Jun 2009 Air Cmde : 17 Jun 2013 AVM : 04 Dec 2019 Air Marshal : 01 Sep 2023 Follow India Pakistan news live Despite the expected technical challenges of working with a new aircraft fleet, Air Marshal AK Bharti, through strong leadership and innovative thinking, ensured the systems were operational in a short time, as per information available on the Bharat Rakshak website. He also led efforts to create tactics that brought out the best in the versatile fighter jet. Also read: Did India strike Pakistan's nuclear facility at Kirana Hills? IAF responds Under his command, the squadron took part in the Air Force-level exercise Gagan Shakti, playing a key role in demonstrating the concept of an 'Air Dominance Force'. The squadron was also praised for its performance during Exercise Indradhanush 2006 with the UK's Royal Air Force and Exercise Garuda 2007 with the French Air Force. The alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Bharti has been awarded the 'Vayu sena medal' by the President in the year 2008.
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
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.
