DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, key face of Operation Sindoor, promoted to Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy). Honoured with Uttam Yudh Seva Medal; operation killed 100+ terrorists, including key masterminds.
Anshu Kashid
New Delhi | June 9, 2025: Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, a senior leader in the Indian Army who was instrumental in the wildly successful Operation Sindoor, has had a month filled with recognition and promotion.
Lt Gen Ghai, who is now the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), was elevated to the crucial role of Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) in recognition of his outstanding leadership throughout the operation.. In this new role, he will oversee all operational wings of the Army — a critical responsibility as India continues to modernize its defence posture.
Importantly, he will continue to wear his DGMO hat alongside his new strategic duties.
Just last week, Lt Gen Ghai was awarded the prestigious Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) in recognition of his strategic brilliance and operational command during Operation Sindoor — a series of precision strikes that dealt a devastating blow to terrorist networks across the border.
His calm and authoritative presence during the Army’s briefings won widespread appreciation, with many hailing him as the face of India’s resolve during the high-stakes
Speaking about the mission, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi praised the Army’s efforts:
“Operation Sindoor wasn’t just a military strike — it reflected the strength, unity, and unwavering resolve of our nation. The government gave us full strategic freedom, and our forces delivered.”
The operation saw Indian forces destroy nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes also showcased the Army’s technological edge in modern warfare.
Lt Gen Ghai became a familiar face for the public during Operation Sindoor. In a press conference on May 11, a day after the ceasefire on May 10, he revealed key details of the operation:
- Indian forces had meticulously identified nine terrorist hideouts in advance.
- On May 7, precision air and ground strikes were executed.
- The operation resulted in the elimination of over 100 terrorists, including notorious operatives such as Abdul Malik Rauf, Yusuf Azhar, and Mudassir Ahmed — all linked to the IC-814 hijacking and the Pulwama terror attack.
“We took them by complete surprise,” said Lt Gen Ghai. “Over 100 terrorists were neutralized, crippling a key part of their network.”
With his new appointment as Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy), Lt Gen Ghai is now positioned to shape the Army’s operational roadmap in an increasingly complex security environment.
As India continues to confront cross-border threats and strengthen its defence capabilities, his leadership is expected to play a crucial role in guiding the force into a new era of strategic readiness.
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