India responds to Pakistani escalation with measured force under “Operation Sindoor”

New Delhi, May 10: India launched a calibrated military response under Operation Sindoor following a series of escalatory and provocative actions by Pakistan across the western front, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.

The joint briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh outlined the scale and precision of India’s response while sharply rebuking Pakistan’s attacks on civilian infrastructure and its “tissue of lies” spread through misinformation.

“It is Pakistani actions that have constituted provocation and escalation,” said Foreign Secretary Misri, addressing the press persons in New Delhi “India has defended and reacted in a responsible and measured fashion.”

Pakistan’s aggression and civilian targeting

Military officials at the briefing said, Pakistan has been carrying out sustained attacks along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC), using an array of weaponry including UCAV drones, loitering munitions, long-range artillery, and fighter aircraft.

“The Pakistan Army continued aggressive operations across the entire western front,” said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. “Attempts were made to breach Indian airspace at more than 26 locations from Srinagar to Naliya.”

In the early hours of May 10, a high-speed missile was launched toward an Indian airbase in Punjab at 1:40 AM. Simultaneously, Indian Air Force stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhuj, and Bathinda suffered limited damage, with both personnel and equipment affected.

More alarmingly, Pakistan directly targeted civilian spaces. “In a deplorable and unprofessional act, Pakistan targeted medical centres and school premises at our airbases in Srinagar, Awantipora and Udhampur,” said Wing Commander Yomika Singh.

The Ministry of Defence further confirmed that the famous Shambhu Temple and residential areas in Jammu were targeted, endangering worshippers and civilians.

India’s precision response

India’s response, officials emphasized, was focused entirely on military objectives. “Following Pakistan's deliberate targeting of military installations, the Indian Armed Forces launched a swift and calibrated counter-offensive,” Col. Qureshi stated. “Technical installations, command and control centres, radar sites, and weapon depots were precisely targeted.”

Key Pakistani military installations at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian were hit using air-launched precision munitions. Radar installations at Pasrur and the Sialkot aviation base were also destroyed. “India ensured minimum collateral damage while neutralising these threats,” Wing Commander Yomika Singh noted.

Escalation on the ground

On the ground, heavy exchange of artillery fire continued in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor, with Indian forces inflicting substantial losses on the Pakistani side. “Indian Army has responded effectively and proportionately, causing extensive damage to Pakistan Army,” Col. Qureshi said.

Indian agencies have also observed a troubling build-up of Pakistani troops near the LoC. “Pakistani military movements into forward areas indicate intent to escalate,” Wing Commander Singh warned. “Indian Armed Forces remain in a high state of operational readiness.”

Misinformation and false claims

Foreign Secretary Misri issued a scathing critique of what he called a “state-sponsored campaign of lies” by Pakistan. “The claims that they have made about attacking and destroying various places... are completely false,” he said. These included fake reports of the destruction of the S-400 system at Adampur, airbases at Sirsa and Suratgarh, and even the BrahMos base at Nagrota.

“This misinformation is being peddled by Pakistani state agencies. We urge everyone not to be misled by this tissue of lies,” Misri said, adding that visuals released from the targeted airbases showed intact runways and normalcy on ground.

In a particularly grave escalation, Pakistan reportedly shelled the town of Rajouri, resulting in the death of Additional District Development Commissioner Shri Raj Kumar Thapa, among other civilian casualties. Overnight damage was also reported in Ferozepur and Jalandhar.

"Do not want escalation"

Despite the hostilities, India has maintained that it does not seek further escalation. “The Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation—provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan Military,” Wing Commander Singh said.

Foreign Secretary Misri echoed this sentiment while warning against attempts by Pakistan to sow communal discord. “Pakistan has consistently attempted to target civilians, especially in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. They have also tried to stoke communal tensions within India. These attempts are doomed to fail,” he said.

Concluding the briefing, Misri said the situation remains fluid. “We are dealing with an evolving situation. We will continue to update you,” he stated.