IAF pounding of air bases, command and military infra forced Pak to seek ceasefire

The severe pounding of Pakistan’s air bases, radars and communications all along the western border, including facilities at Islamabad and Rawalpindi, forced Pakistan to seek contact with the Indian Army Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai over the hotline early on the morning of May 10.

The damage from the 11 air bases and radars hit by IAF on May 10 was particularly severe while despite launching hundreds of drones over three days, Pakistan could not inflict any significant damage on Indian military facilities.

The Indian Army DGMO received communication that his Pakistan counterpart was seeking to speak on the ongoing conflict. “Since many objectives had been met and it was decided that the contact will be accepted,” Gen Ghai said at a press conference on Sunday evening. He made it clear that the ceasefire announced on Saturday needs to be adhered to and any violation by Pakistan will be met with a kinetic response.

The DGMOs agreement was to stop aggressive and hostile actions and let the situation settle for 36 hours. They are due to talk again at 12 noon on May 12 to discuss the matter again leading to the next set of steps. A communique has been sent to the Pakistan military operations headquarters, said Gen Ghai, adding the response will be assessed.

India will monitor the situation on Sunday night and the cost of any escalation and violations will be fierce and punitive, said Gen Ghai. Responding to a question about Pakistan’s violation of the ceasefire on the evening of May 10, he said that sometimes such understandings take time to manifest and fructify on the ground.

The air attacks on Pakistan’s air bases and radars caused substantial damage and degraded air defence systems. A less obvious factor in bringing Pakistan to the hotline was the use of Naval power with the Indian fleet positioned in the Arabian Sea in a offensive posture. Strong messages were sent by way of Army manoeuvres that more than indicated to Pakistan that initiating land operations would not a good idea.

Asked whether Pakistan could use the ceasefire to rearm and initiate more offensive operations, Gen Ghai said, “I am not so bothered about what Pakistan is doing but we have a roadmap and will do what we need to.”

Of the nine selected targets to the IAF training camps. Though Air Marshal A K Bharti did not spell out the weapons used, the ordinance used included Brahmos, Scalp and Hammer missiles.

2025 India-Pakistan warAir Marshal AK BhartiDirector General of Military Operations Lt. Gen. Rajiv GhaiNews BriefOperation SindoorPress briefingVice Admiral AN PramodWeb Exclusive