Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai: Indian Army’s pointman behind Operation Sindoor briefing

His most notable recent posting was as General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps, the Indian Army’s nerve centre in Kashmir. (Picture courtesy: ANI)

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), on May 11, briefed the media on the Indian Army’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, detailing its objectives, outcomes, and the events that led to the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.

Representing the Army at the high-level press briefing, Lt Gen Ghai outlined how the operation targeted key terror infrastructure across the border and explained the escalation that followed, including ceasefire violations by Pakistan. He confirmed that direct communication between the DGMOs of both countries helped reach an understanding to halt hostilities amid rising cross-border tensions.

He described in detail the operation’s success, including strikes on Lashkar-e-Taiba bases like Muridke, and confirmed that Pakistan had suffered significant losses. He also accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire with drone attacks and shelling of civilian facilities.

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Operation Sindoor was conceptualised with a clear military aim to punish the perpetrators and planners of terror and to destroy their terror infrastructure. What I do not state here is the often stated determination of India and its intolerance to terror.- Lieutenant General pic.twitter.com/CAfmVDh4q9
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) May 11, 2025

A decorated officer from the Kumaon Regiment, Lt Gen Ghai was commissioned in December 1989 after graduating from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Over the past 33 years, he has held a string of significant command and staff positions, from leading counter-insurgency units in Jammu and Kashmir to serving in operational roles at Army Headquarters.

His most notable recent posting was as General Officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps, the Indian Army’s nerve centre in Kashmir. There, he emphasised coordination between the armed forces, civil administration, and local communities to tackle terrorism and foster peace.

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Lt Gen Ghai has commanded a battalion along the Western Sector, a brigade, and a division on the Northern Borders, giving him vast operational experience in high-risk zones. At Army HQ, he served as a Brigadier in the Military Operations Directorate and as Colonel General Staff in a division deployed in counter-insurgency operations.

In recognition of his service, he has been awarded several of India’s top military honours, the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM), the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and the Sena Medal (SM).

Following sustained backchannel and direct military communication, including between the DGMOs of both countries, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire effective 5:00 PM IST on May 10.