New Delhi: India has categorically denied Pakistan’s claims of inflicting large-scale damage on Indian military infrastructure, calling it part of a “malicious misinformation campaign.” At a high-level press briefing on Saturday morning, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force provided a detailed overview of recent hostilities along the western front, including India’s calibrated military response under “Operation Sindoor.”
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, joined by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the IAF, confirmed that Pakistan launched coordinated strikes overnight, targeting 26 Indian military sites with drones, missiles, loitering munitions, and fighter aircraft. Despite these attacks, Indian officials reported that most threats were intercepted, and while some physical damage and injuries occurred, key installations remained operational.
Colonel Qureshi revealed that Pakistani forces used high-speed missiles around 1:40 a.m. to strike airbases including Udhampur, Pathankot, Bathinda, Bhuj, and Adampur. Indian air defences responded with radar-guided countermeasures and kinetic intercepts, neutralizing several incoming threats. She also confirmed drone and UAV incursions across Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Jammu, and Jaisalmer, describing them as an escalation that violated international norms.
“Civilian facilities, including a health centre and a school, were also targeted in Srinagar, Avantipora, and Udhampur,” Qureshi stated. “These attacks represent a serious and irresponsible provocation.”
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed claims made by Pakistan that India’s S-400 missile systems and key airfields had been destroyed. “These allegations are entirely false. Indian airbases remain operational, and the S-400 systems are intact,” she said, presenting time-stamped visuals to support her statement.
Foreign Secretary Misri emphasized that while Pakistan attempted to create panic through falsehoods and exaggerated claims, India remained composed and responded in a measured manner. “Normalcy has been restored across most affected installations,” he said.
In retaliation for the attacks, India launched Operation Sindoor on Saturday morning, conducting precision airstrikes on Pakistani military infrastructure. The strikes specifically targeted airbases in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan, as well as radar facilities at Pasrur and Sialkot. Colonel Qureshi confirmed that the strikes were carefully planned to minimize collateral damage while effectively disabling key enemy positions.
Powerful explosions were reported across Pakistani military installations, including near Islamabad, leading to the closure of Pakistan’s airspace for civilian and commercial flights.
India reaffirmed its commitment to a non-escalatory approach, stating that its actions were purely defensive and targeted at neutralizing military threats.
