New Delhi [India], May 12: Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Monday commended the strength and resilience of India’s multi-layered air defence system, stating that recent Pakistani attempts to target Indian airfields and logistic hubs failed completely due to the country’s sophisticated defence network.
At a media briefing held in the wake of Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Ghai said that Pakistan’s aerial attacks on May 9 and 10 were thwarted owing to India’s robust and well-integrated combination of air defence weapons, counter-UAV technologies, and electronic warfare systems.
“There was no chance Pakistan could have broken our air defence grid and targeted our airfield or logistics. Our inventory comprises a unique mixture of Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems, Air Defence Weapons, and electronic warfare tools,” he stated.
Layers of Defence: “If One Doesn’t Get You, the Next Will”
In a creative analogy, the DGMO likened India’s defence network to the iconic Australian pace duo of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, famed for their relentless pressure during the 1970s Ashes series.
“Even if you crossed all the layers, one of the layers of this grid system will get you. Like they used to say—‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get ya, Lillee must,’” he said, drawing a parallel between the duo’s bowling and India’s layered defence.
The system includes:
- Shoulder-fired air defence weapons
- Vintage and modern air defence artillery
- Indigenously developed anti-drone systems
- Integrated counter-UAV and EW capabilities
BSF’s Role and Inter-Agency Coordination
Lt Gen Ghai also lauded the Border Security Force (BSF) for its effective contributions during the Pakistani aerial intrusions.
“Every last soldier contributed. The BSF’s counter-drone systems were integrated into our grid. As the saying goes, ‘Jab Hausle Buland ho tab manzile bhi kadam chumti hai’ — when morale is high, success is inevitable,” he noted.
Operation Sindoor: Strategic and Calibrated Response
Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was India’s joint tri-service response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Senior commanders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force revealed during Sunday’s joint press conference that the operation:
- Targeted over 100 terrorists
- Struck nine terror sites and 11 Pakistani air bases
- Dealt major blows to Pakistan’s military capabilities
- Was executed with calibrated restraint to avoid civilian harm
The armed forces concluded the briefing with a clear warning to Pakistan:
“This time, if Pakistan dare take any action, they know what we are going to do.”