lt gen rajiv ghai biography

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai is a distinguished officer in the Indian Army, currently serving as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) since October 25, 2024. With over 33 years of service, he has held pivotal roles in India’s military strategy, particularly in counter-insurgency operations and border security.

                                    Early Life and Education

Lt Gen Ghai is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and was commissioned into the Kumaon Regiment in December 1989. Throughout his career, he has held various command and staff positions, including:

• Colonel General Staff in a division engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Brigadier at the Military Operations Directorate at Army Headquarters.
• Commander of a battalion in the Western Sector, a brigade, and a division along the Northern Borders.

He also served as the General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Chinar Corps (XV Corps), responsible for operations in the Kashmir Valley, emphasizing inter-agency cooperation and community engagement to counter radicalization and ensure long-term peace.

                                                                      Role as DGMO

As the DGMO, Lt Gen Ghai oversees all military operations, including combat, counter-terrorism, and strategic responses. He coordinates closely with other military branches, intelligence agencies, and government ministries, and serves as the chief interlocutor with Pakistan’s DGMO, directly engaging in military diplomacy and ceasefire arrangements.

                                                       Operation Sindoor

Lt Gen Ghai was the principal architect of Operation Sindoor, a cross-border military strike conducted on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 fatalities. Under his leadership, the operation successfully neutralized multiple terror hubs, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba base at Muridke, and inflicted significant casualties on the Pakistan Army.

                                                 Ceasefire Negotiations

Following Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Ghai engaged in direct communication with his Pakistani counterpart to establish a ceasefire effective 5:00 PM IST on May 10, 2025. Despite initial violations by Pakistan, including drone attacks and cross-border firing, Lt Gen Ghai emphasized India’s commitment to respond decisively to safeguard national integrity.

                                                  Honors and Decorations

Lt Gen Ghai’s exemplary service has been recognized with several prestigious military honors:

• Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) – For exceptional service in war-like operations.(Indian Masterminds)
• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) – For distinguished service of an exceptional order.(Indian Masterminds)
• Sena Medal (SM) – For gallantry or distinguished service in the Army. (Indian Masterminds)

                                                             Notable Statements

Lt Gen Ghai is known for his strategic insights and articulate communication. During a press briefing on May 12, 2025, he used a cricket analogy to describe India’s layered air defense system, likening it to the Australian bowling duo of Thomson and Lillee:

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if Thommo don’t get ya, Lillee must.”

This analogy underscored the robustness of India’s multi-layered air defense mechanisms.

                                                 Related Media

For a visual overview of Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai’s role in Operation Sindoor and subsequent ceasefire negotiations, you may find this video informative:

Who Is Lt. General Rajiv Ghai? DGMO Who Was Called By Pakistan For Ceasefire