India delivered ‘hellfire’ in precision strikes inside Pak: Military sources

NEW DELHI, May 12: India’s response to provocations from Pakistan was a carefully calibrated but forceful demonstration of its military and strategic superiority. The ‘Operation Sindoor’, included a series of high-precision air strikes that hit deep inside Pakistani territory, targeting key terror infrastructure and military-linked facilities.
The Indian Armed Forces conducted nine targeted strikes on the morning of May 7, marking a decisive shift in India’s counter-terror strategy. These were not aimed at peripheral camps or low-level assets. The targets struck were headquarters, major training hubs — facilities that had long histories of fostering cross-border terrorism.
One of the core messages, sources said, was that no place is safe anymore for terror operatives or their supporters, even in Pakistan’s heartland.
“If you’re operating from Lahore, Rawalpindi, or Muridke, you will be hit. We have changed the game, and that message has gone through,” the official added, referencing attacks on key locations such as Muridke, where funerals for terrorists had included attendance by senior Pakistani civilian and military officials — underscoring the state’s complicity.
On May 10, after a series of Pakistani provocations, including attempted drone incursions and artillery attacks across 26 locations, India retaliated with what military sources described as “hellfire”.
Eight major Pakistani military facilities were hit by precision-guided munitions. Runway at one place was destroyed. Chaklala — an installation near the Pakistani capital — sustained what even their own defence officials privately admitted was severe damage,” a senior source confirmed.
India’s airstrikes exposed the ineffectiveness of Pakistan’s air defence systems, which reportedly failed to prevent or intercept any of the incoming Indian projectiles. “We struck at will, and at locations of our choosing. Their response was disorganized and largely ineffective,” officials said.
Pakistan retaliated with attempted strikes on 14–20 Indian locations, but most of these were successfully intercepted by India’s air defence systems. “There was some limited damage to satellite facilities, but none of the major bases or targets they claimed were hit suffered any serious impact. Their response fell well short of matching our capability or scale,” officials noted.
The comprehensive Indian response marked a new phase in military doctrine — moving from restrained retaliation to strategic deterrence through overwhelming force. The strikes were intentionally designed to be non-escalatory, avoiding civilian and direct military targets while clearly emphasising a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
The military operation was reinforced by parallel efforts on the diplomatic front. Indian leaders, including the External Affairs Minister, NSA, communicated clearly with global counterparts: there can be no equivalence between the victim and the perpetrator.
India refused to accept traditional international calls for parity and restraint, pushing instead for clear condemnation of terrorism. At least a dozen nations publicly supported India’s right to self-defence, with many more expressing solidarity.
India also rejected any third-party shuttle diplomacy, unlike past crises. “There was no back-and-forth between capitals. We stood firm, independent, and communicated our position directly,” sources said, drawing a contrast with post-Parliament attack diplomacy in 2001–2002.
By May 10, following India’s overwhelming military response, Pakistan initiated contact through the DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) line, signalling a readiness to de-escalate.
“That was the moment they realised they were outmatched — they had no appetite for further escalation,” sources said bluntly. “This is not business as usual. We’ve drawn a red line. Terrorism will invite a cost — military, political, and psychological,” a top military source concluded.
INDIA, PAK DGMOs TALK ON HOTLINE
For the first time since the understanding on ceasefire, Indian and Pakistani military operations chiefs on Monday spoke to each other on a hotline around 5 PM to discuss ways to restore calm on the border, an official said.
According to official information, Pakistan has said that it will not take this conflict forward and also indicated its willingness not to violate the ceasefire.
The talks between Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) revolved around stopping military actions and firing on the lines of understanding reached after India’s anti-terror ‘Operation Sindoor’ was halted at Pakistan’s request on May 10.
The Indian Army has confirmed the conversation between the two DGMOs. India’s DGMO Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai participated in this military-level discussion with Pakistan DGMO Major General Kashif Abdullah.
The DGMOs’ hotline discussion also featured measures for observing restraint and respecting the consensus to stop firing and review the current situation.
The ceasefire agreement in the year 2021 to maintain peace and stability on the Line of Control was also signed by the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.
During the day, there was speculation over an alleged delay in the hotline discussion between the two DGMOs as on May 10 – when the understanding on ceasefire was arrived at – the tentative time for their talks was announced to be Monday noon.
Earlier, senior military officials on Monday provided a detailed operational account of India’s robust defence measures and offensive preparedness during and after Operation Sindoor.
At a high-level briefing, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Air Marshal A.K. Bharti and Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations, explained the multi-layered coordination among the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, describing a defence posture that was both measured and impenetrable.
Lt Gen Ghai clarified that India did not cross the Line of Control (LoC) or the International Border (IB) during its operations.
“All defensive measures were executed from within Indian territory,” he said, countering speculative reports of escalation. (IANS)