(Image source from: Twitter.com/PIB_India)
India has categorically dismissed Pakistan's assertions regarding significant destruction of its military facilities following a series of coordinated cross-border attacks that occurred overnight. During a special press conference held on Saturday morning, high-ranking representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, along with officials from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, addressed the media to discuss the ongoing tensions along the western border. They characterized Pakistan's military actions as "provocative," while asserting that Indian forces responded "calmly, proportionately, and effectively." Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, accompanied by Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, provided a comprehensive overview of Operation Sindoor, which was India's response to the lethal assault in Pahalgam on April 22 that left 26 people dead.
Foreign Secretary Misri described Pakistan’s narrative as "a tissue of lies," claiming that Islamabad was fabricating stories about destruction to essential Indian infrastructure, including airbases and air defense systems. "Claims have been made about extensive sections of Indian critical infrastructure, power systems, cyber systems, etc., being attacked and destroyed. These assertions are entirely unfounded," Mr. Misri stated, emphasizing that most of the facilities targeted had returned to normal operations. India acknowledged that, in the early hours of Saturday, Pakistani drones, missiles, loitering munitions, and airstrikes hit 26 specific locations, including airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Bathinda, Bhuj, and Adampur. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that Pakistani forces deployed high-speed missiles around 1:40 AM to hit the Punjab airbase.
While Colonel Qureshi admitted there was some physical damage to military assets and injuries to personnel, she commented that India successfully intercepted numerous threats. "India neutralized many dangers," she remarked, displaying visuals that demonstrated the operational status of various bases, such as Sirsa and Suratgarh. She also pointed out that the Pakistani Army made attempts to breach Indian airspace at over 26 locations during the night. "These included drone incursions and sightings of armed UAVs in Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Jammu, Pathankot, Bhuj, and Jaisalmer," she explained. In response, Indian forces employed a combination of kinetic intercepts and radar-guided countermeasures. "They launched attacks on medical facilities and schools in Srinagar, Avantipora, and Udhampur. Such actions signify a hazardous escalation that contravenes established conventions."
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh focused her attention on what she referred to as "a persistent campaign of misinformation" emanating from Pakistan. She rejected the accusations claiming that India's S-400 missile defense system had been rendered ineffective or that significant Indian airbases had become non-operational. "Pakistan has also made efforts to carry out a sustained, malicious misinformation campaign, alleging the destruction of the Indian S-400 system and the airfields located in Surat and Sirsa... India firmly disavows these fabricated assertions being propagated by Pakistan," she stated.
Early on Saturday, there were reports of significant explosions at several air bases in Pakistan, including a key facility close to Islamabad, leading the Pakistani authorities to close the nation's airspace to all civilian and commercial flights.
India also shared information about its responses under Operation Sindoor. On Saturday morning, targeted airstrikes were executed against various Pakistani military installations, which encompassed command centers, radar facilities, and technical infrastructure. Colonel Qureshi detailed the specific targets, which included military sites in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan. Strikes were also conducted on the radar locations at Pasrur and the aviation bases in Sialkot. She emphasized that these strikes were conducted with precision to minimize any unintended damage.
(Video Source: PIB India)
