Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: In an unexpected yet memorable moment during the Indian Armed Forces’ briefing on Operation Sindoor, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), invoked a cricketing proverb to describe the robustness of India’s multi-layered air defence and counter-drone systems that repelled Pakistani air attacksearlier this month.
A cricket metaphor to explain defence
Referencing a witty 1970s Australian cricket quip — “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If Lillee don’t get you, Thommo must” — Gen. Ghai compared India’s strategic defence grid to a relentless bowling attack, where if one layer of defence is breached, another kicks in immediately. “Even if you crossed all the layers, one of the layers of this grid system will hit you,” he explained, underscoring the success of India’s missile and drone intercept systems during the May 8–10 Pakistani retaliation attempts.
A Virat Kohli tribute on a historic day
In a moment of personal reflection, Lt Gen Ghai also mentioned that the briefing coincided with Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, adding that Kohli was his favourite cricketer, much like millions of other Indians. “This example is significant,” he said, noting the date’s coincidence with Kohli’s announcement.
Precision defence and active deterrence
Sharing visuals of crater damage at Pakistan’s Nur Khan airbase, Lt Gen Ghai reiterated that Indian airfields remain fully operational and that several Pakistani drones and PL-15 missiles were successfully intercepted on May 8, 9 and 10, preventing any airspace violations.
Operation Sindoor: A message through force
India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22.
Air Marshal AK Bharti clarified that India’s operation exclusively struck terror facilities, while Pakistan escalated the situation by turning it into a state conflict by backing militants. A ceasefire understanding was reached on May 10, but Pakistan breached it within hours, prompting fresh warnings from Indian forces.
The DGMO concluded that India remains prepared to retaliate fiercely to any future violation, reinforcing the nation’s resolve and operational superiority in counter-terror combat.
