Press Briefing on #OperationSindoor (11 May, 2025)
India detailed joint military operations, exposed Pakistani disinformation, and confirmed ceasefire violations after striking key terror infrastructure.
Operation Sindoor
Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Pahalgam Terror Attack Response
Airstrike 2025
Introduction
Opening Music: The briefing began with the recital of the Shiv Tandav Stotram, creating a solemn and resolute tone as the Indian armed forces addressed the nation.
A special press conference was held on May 11, 2025, to present a comprehensive update on Operation Sindoor, following the series of escalatory actions and retaliations between India and Pakistan since the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Present were Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai (Director General Military Operations), Air Marshal A.P. Bharti (Director General Air Operations), and Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod (Director General Naval Operations). Each spoke on the military actions in their respective domains: Land, Air, and Sea.
Land Domain – Operation Sindoor’s Origin and Execution
Strategic Objectives and Terror Target Identification
Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai opened the briefing with the acknowledgment of the brutal terrorist attack at Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives. He declared that India could no longer remain a passive observer and outlined the military aim of Operation Sindoor:
Punish perpetrators and planners of the attack.
Destroy confirmed terror infrastructure across the border.
Maintain zero civilian collateral damage.
Nine terror hubs were identified and selected for precision targeting, based on confirmation from multiple intelligence sources. These included notorious locations like Muridke and Bahawalpur in Pakistan, both known Lashkar-e-Taiba centers, which had historical involvement in past attacks like the IC814 hijack and Pulwama.
Execution and Impact
Detailed analysis of terrain, building structures, and camp configurations informed the attack vectors.
More than 100 terrorists were eliminated in the strikes, including high-value individuals like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed.
Pakistani retaliatory actions soon followed, but were erratic, unfocused, and ended up harming civilian and religious sites within their own territory.
Air Domain – Precision Strikes and Defensive Measures
Initial Air Operations on May 7
Air Marshal A.P. Bharti detailed how the Indian Air Force used precision-guided munitions to target:
Muridke training camp: Four sequential strikes showed targeted impact points.
Bahawalpur complex: Key buildings were destroyed without spillover damage.
He emphasized that the targets were selected solely for their terror connections. The objective was to neutralize militant infrastructure while avoiding broader escalation.
Pakistani Aerial Provocations and Indian Response
On the night of May 7 and 8, waves of Pakistani drones and UAVs attempted intrusion across Indian airspace.
These efforts were repelled using kinetic and electronic countermeasures.
In retaliation, India targeted Pakistani radar installations at Lahore and Gujranwala.
Continued Hostilities and Night Raids (May 8-10)
Indian cities and military bases were targeted by mass drone raids from May 8-9.
Indian air defense systems intercepted most threats successfully.
India responded by striking Pakistani SAM sites in Malakand and radars in Lahore and Gujranwala.
Indian Air Force ensured safety of civilian aircraft despite Pakistan allowing commercial flights near conflict zones.
Full-Scale Air Counter-Offensive on May 9-10
Pakistani airbases targeted included Chaklala (Islamabad), Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Sargodha, Halari, Jacobabad.
Command centers, UAV hangars, and radar sites were also struck with precision.
Multiple before-and-after images were presented to confirm destruction.
Maritime Operations – Strategic Pressure from the Sea
Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod elaborated on the Indian Navy’s:
Full combat readiness since April 22.
Forward deployment in the Arabian Sea.
Surveillance over Pakistan Navy, which remained confined to coastal waters.
Key Contributions:
Maintained maritime domain awareness.
Tested readiness via weapon drills within 96 hours.
Positioned to strike targets including Karachi if necessary.
Their strategic posturing helped force Pakistan to seek ceasefire negotiations.
Ceasefire Attempts and Violations
Initial Hotline Communication
On May 10, India received a hotline message from Pakistan’s DGMO seeking a ceasefire.
A ceasefire was agreed to take effect at 17:00 hours on May 10.
Breach of Agreement
Within hours, Pakistan violated the ceasefire with cross-border firing and drone intrusions.
India responded robustly.
Chief of Army Staff granted full authority for counter-actions in the kinetic domain.
Tribute to Martyrs
Lt. Gen. Ghai solemnly paid homage to five Indian armed forces personnel and civilians who lost their lives in Operation Sindoor, vowing their sacrifice will be remembered.
Press Interaction Highlights
Key Clarifications
India denied Pakistani claims of destruction of S-400 systems, BrahMos bases, and key airfields.
The Air Force emphasized India’s restraint: no civilian or non-military sites were targeted.
Questions Addressed
Indian officials reiterated the proportionality and restraint of Indian responses.
Pakistan’s use of civilians and religious places as shields was condemned.
Indian armed forces remained in full alert; responses will be “fierce and punitive” if provoked.
Conclusion
The Indian armed forces presented compelling visual evidence and a detailed timeline of Operation Sindoor, showcasing their professionalism, coordination, and commitment to measured retaliation. Their message was clear: India’s fight is with terrorism, not the Pakistani state or people. But any breach of sovereignty or harm to Indian civilians will be met with decisive force.
The military commanders emphasized India’s readiness for any future eventualities, reaffirming that while peace is the objective, national security and the dignity of its citizens remain non-negotiable.