A DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) is responsible for planning and supervising military operations, including combat missions and counter-terrorism initiatives. Ensuring that the armed forces are fully prepared for any type of operation is also a crucial aspect of the role.
New Delhi: The Indian armed forces carried out “careful scrutiny” of the nine cross-border terror camps down to their layouts and configurations and terrains around them before conducting the precision strikes on them on May 7 under Operation Sindoor, Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai said on Sunday. “I have no doubt in my mind that we achieved total surprise and those strikes across those nine terror hubs left more than 100 terrorists killed, including high-value targets,” the top Army officer said during a media briefing .
As per media reports, General Rajiv Ghai played a crucial role in outlining strategies against Pakistan’s intrusions following ‘Operation Sindoor’ – launched by the Indian armed forces in reponse to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Aerial images of some of the camps, taken before and after the strike, were also shown on a large screen during the briefing that came a day after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes that brought the two countries teetering on the edge of full scale war. Directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan agreed on the understanding during a call on May 10 afternoon.
Who is Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the Director General of Military Operations?
Lt. General Rajiv Ghai is currently posted as the DGMO of the Indian Army. Before his current role, which he assumed in October 2024, Lt. General Ghai was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC) of the Chinnar Corps. He has ample experience working in Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC).
What is the role of DGMOs in India:
DGMO are top military officials who remain in direct contact with counterparts in other countries to manage and de-escalate potential conflicts. A DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) is responsible for planning and supervising military operations, including combat missions and counter-terrorism initiatives. Ensuring that the armed forces are fully prepared for any type of operation is also a crucial aspect of the role.
The key of DGMO includes coordinating closely with other branches of the military and various government ministries to ensure smooth functioning. This includes conducting weekly communication with their counterparts through a dedicated hotline, which helps manage tensions at the border, especially during the time of escalation. DGMO also keeps the army chief and the Ministry of Defence informed with regular operational updates.
