NEW DELHI: Director general of Army Air Defence, Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D'Cunha , on Monday said that India has the capability to strike targets anywhere within Pakistan. Speaking in the context of Operation Sindoor , he explained that the Indian armed forces are fully prepared to respond across the entire depth of Pakistani territory if needed.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Lt Gen D'Cunha said, "The whole of Pakistan is within range." He added that even if the Pakistan Army moves its General Headquarters (GHQ) from Rawalpindi to areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), they would have to "find a deep hole."
During Operation Sindoor, India carried out strikes on important Pakistani airbases using loitering munitions to hit key targets.
Lt Gen D'Cunha said, "I just like to say that India has an adequate arsenal of weapons to take on Pakistan right across its depth. So, from its broadest to its narrowest, wherever it is, the whole of Pakistan is within range. We are absolutely capable, from our borders or even in depth, where we can take on the entire Pakistan. And the GHQ can move from Rawalpindi to KPK or wherever they want to move, but they are all within range, so they will have to really find a deep hole."
He said that Indian forces used locally developed technology, including long-range drones and guided munitions, which played a role in the operation.
Lt Gen D'Cunha also said that the armed forces are responsible for protecting the country and its people.
"Our job is to protect our sovereignty, our people... So, I think that the very fact that we have been able to protect our motherland from this onslaught, which was aimed at causing a lot of problems in population centers and in our cantonments, the very fact that we have given this reassurance to our people, not only to our civil population... a lot of our own jawans, officers, wives were staying in cantonments. And they were also equally concerned about these drone attacks. And the very fact that we ensured that this did not manifest in any casualties, I am sure it not only made the soldier feel proud, it made the families feel proud. And finally, the population of India feel proud. I think that's the takeaway."
Le Gen D'Cunha also highlighted India's preparedness in modern warfare, particularly in neutralising drones and other advanced technologies during Operation Sindoor.
"The Russia-Ukraine clash and even to some extent the Israeli current conflict, taught us about the huge capability that drones have. We realised that Pakistan, by its backend support from Turkey and maybe a northern adversary as well, had a plethora of drones. We also knew that in order to take on an effective air defence integrated system that we have, they (Pakistan) would have to saturate us. So, if you see his concept of employment, they (Pakistan) would first send in low-altitude, cheaper drones in large numbers to saturate your radars, and they would also force you to open up your radars...We anticipated this, and about maybe on the 26th, 27th, and 28th, we did a simulation exercise at the behest of our army chief in the border areas, where we simulated drone attacks on the weapon system. It was not from the border, but it was internal, on the border... We started at 5:30 in the morning, maybe on the 26th for the first day, when multiple drones were coming in to train our people," he said.
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror-related sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir.
This was in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. Following India’s strike, Pakistan retaliated with shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir, along with attempted drone attacks along the border.
After Pakistan's incursion, India escalated its response, targeting and destroying key Pakistani military and air infrastructure, including the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and the Rahim Yar Khan airbase. Both countries reached an understanding to end hostilities on May 10.
In an interview with news agency ANI, Lt Gen D'Cunha said, "The whole of Pakistan is within range." He added that even if the Pakistan Army moves its General Headquarters (GHQ) from Rawalpindi to areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), they would have to "find a deep hole."
#WATCH | Delhi: DG Army Air Defence Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D’Cunha says, "India has an adequate arsenal of weapons to take on Pakistan right across its depth. So, from its broadest to its narrowest, wherever it is, the whole of Pakistan is within range... The GHQ (General… pic.twitter.com/U8jFcmIC8Y
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025
During Operation Sindoor, India carried out strikes on important Pakistani airbases using loitering munitions to hit key targets.
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Lt Gen D'Cunha said, "I just like to say that India has an adequate arsenal of weapons to take on Pakistan right across its depth. So, from its broadest to its narrowest, wherever it is, the whole of Pakistan is within range. We are absolutely capable, from our borders or even in depth, where we can take on the entire Pakistan. And the GHQ can move from Rawalpindi to KPK or wherever they want to move, but they are all within range, so they will have to really find a deep hole."
He said that Indian forces used locally developed technology, including long-range drones and guided munitions, which played a role in the operation.
Lt Gen D'Cunha also said that the armed forces are responsible for protecting the country and its people.
"Our job is to protect our sovereignty, our people... So, I think that the very fact that we have been able to protect our motherland from this onslaught, which was aimed at causing a lot of problems in population centers and in our cantonments, the very fact that we have given this reassurance to our people, not only to our civil population... a lot of our own jawans, officers, wives were staying in cantonments. And they were also equally concerned about these drone attacks. And the very fact that we ensured that this did not manifest in any casualties, I am sure it not only made the soldier feel proud, it made the families feel proud. And finally, the population of India feel proud. I think that's the takeaway."
Le Gen D'Cunha also highlighted India's preparedness in modern warfare, particularly in neutralising drones and other advanced technologies during Operation Sindoor.
"The Russia-Ukraine clash and even to some extent the Israeli current conflict, taught us about the huge capability that drones have. We realised that Pakistan, by its backend support from Turkey and maybe a northern adversary as well, had a plethora of drones. We also knew that in order to take on an effective air defence integrated system that we have, they (Pakistan) would have to saturate us. So, if you see his concept of employment, they (Pakistan) would first send in low-altitude, cheaper drones in large numbers to saturate your radars, and they would also force you to open up your radars...We anticipated this, and about maybe on the 26th, 27th, and 28th, we did a simulation exercise at the behest of our army chief in the border areas, where we simulated drone attacks on the weapon system. It was not from the border, but it was internal, on the border... We started at 5:30 in the morning, maybe on the 26th for the first day, when multiple drones were coming in to train our people," he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the preparedness of Indian defence forces to thwart drone attacks, DG Army Air Defence Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D’Cunha says, "...The Russia-Ukraine clash and even to some extent the Israeli current conflict, taught us about the huge capability that drones have. We… pic.twitter.com/Xt3BEeN0aL
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror-related sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir.
This was in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. Following India’s strike, Pakistan retaliated with shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir, along with attempted drone attacks along the border.
After Pakistan's incursion, India escalated its response, targeting and destroying key Pakistani military and air infrastructure, including the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and the Rahim Yar Khan airbase. Both countries reached an understanding to end hostilities on May 10.
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