'Pak Moving Forces to Forward Areas, India Has High Operational Readiness': Govt
Press briefing- India accuses Pakistan of civilian drone attacks, indian army retaliates
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In a press briefing on Saturday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said Pakistan’s recent actions, including drone and missile attacks on Indian military and civilian sites, have been “provocative and escalatory.”
“It is Pakistani actions that have constituted provocation and escalation,” Misri said. “Earlier this morning, we saw a repeat of this escalatory and provocative pattern,” he added, asserting that India had “defended and reacted in a responsible and measured fashion.”
Providing details of last night's escalations, Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh said Pakistan launched waves of drones and missiles overnight, with several being intercepted near Amritsar around 5:00 am.
Explosions were reported in Jammu, Rajouri, Pathankot, Srinagar, Baramulla, and Udhampur. In Pathankot, a key air base, anti-aircraft guns responded, and a high alert was imposed.
Most threats were neutralised, but Singh confirmed “limited damage” to equipment and army personnel at IAF bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj. She also reported “several high-speed missile attacks” at air bases in Punjab after 1:40 am.
Singh accused Pakistan of deliberately hitting civilian sites: “In a deplorable, cowardly act, Pakistan attacked the Medicare Centre and school premises at the air bases of Srinagar, Awantipora, and Udhampur,” calling the targeting of non-military infrastructure “irresponsible.”
Key Highlights of the Briefing:
India described Pakistan’s overnight military actions as escalatory and provocative, stating that attempted air intrusions were made at over 26 locations from Srinagar to Nalia, all of which were successfully neutralised by Indian forces.
In a calibrated response, the Indian Air Force launched precision strikes on six military targets in Pakistan—Rafiki, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Juniya—using air-launched precision weapons.
Radar sites at Pasroor and Sialkot aviation were also targeted with precision munitions, as part of India’s effort to degrade Pakistan’s surveillance and defence infrastructure.
India reported limited damage to equipment and personnel at its own air bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj following Pakistani attacks.
Pakistan employed a mix of drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter aircraft to strike both civilian and military infrastructure along India’s western border.
Pakistani missiles struck several air bases in Punjab post-1:40 AM, in what was described as a “deplorable and cowardly act.”
Civilian infrastructure was also targeted by Pakistan, including a healthcare centre and school premises near air bases in Srinagar, Avantipur, and Udhampur, which India condemned as irresponsible and indiscriminate.
On the ground, Pakistan carried out shelling with heavy calibre weapons and drones along the Line of Control and International Border, with significant engagements reported in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor.
The Indian Army responded to these provocations with proportionate force, reportedly causing extensive damage to Pakistani positions.
India’s defence representatives, Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, rejected Pakistan’s “malicious misinformation” about alleged destruction of Indian air bases at Adampur, Sirsa, and the BrahMos base in Nagrota, and released images of intact facilities at Sirsa and Suratgarh.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that India remains committed to non-escalation, but retains a high state of operational readiness in the face of further provocations.
India Rejects Pakistani Claims, Says It's 'Heavy on Lies'
The Indian government rejected Pakistan’s claims about damaging Indian military assets. Misri called them “heavy on lies, misinformation and propaganda.” He stated: “The claim about the Air Force station in Sirsa being destroyed is completely false. The claim about the Air Force station in Suratgarh being destroyed is completely false again."
Meanwhile, cross-border firing continued in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor sectors. Misri said the Indian Army had “responded effectively and proportionately,” and warned that Pakistani troop movements to forward positions indicated “offensive intent to further escalate the situation.”
He also addressed Pakistan’s claim that Indian missiles struck Afghanistan. “Totally frivolous allegation,” he said. “The Afghan people don’t need to be reminded about which country… has on multiple occasions in just the last one and a half years targeted civilian populations and civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan.”
Misri called for de-escalation, but reiterated India's military preparedness: “The Indian Armed Forces remain in a high state of operational readiness.” “We remain committed to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistani military.”