New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Saturday held a special press briefing on the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan post Operation Sindoor. Addressing the joint special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed the country about the current situation at the border with Pakistan.
India stated that it has responded in a "measured manner" to the ongoing provocations and escalations by Pakistan. "Pakistani activities have continued to escalate with provocation over the past two to three days. In response, India has defended and reacted in a measured fashion to these provocations and escalations by the Pakistani side. Earlier this morning, we saw a repeat of these escalatory and provocative factors," Misri said.
Detailed Press Briefing:
Pakistan launched multiple armed drones from its soil over Khasa Cantt in Amritsar; however, the UAVS were successfully intercepted by the Indian Army's air defence systems. In retaliation, India hit several Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan near Rawalpindi.
Here Are 10 Key Takeaways:
1) Misri told the media that Pakistan continues to peddle lies and misinformation about targeting Indian sites. "Claims have been made about large sections of Indian critical infrastructure, power systems, cyber systems, etc, being attacked and destroyed, are completely false," Misro said. He urged people not be mislead by the "tissue of lies" being peddled by the Pakistanis state.
2) The foreign Secretary exposed Pakistan for its campaign of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, especially in the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
3) Slamming Pakistan for its claim that Indian missiles hit Afghanistan, Misri said, "There is a completely ludicrous claim that Indian missiles have hit Afghanistan. Totally frivolous allegation" He said that Afghan people don't need to be reminded which country has targeted civilian population and infrastructure."
4) Col Qureshi revealed details of India's strikes on Oakistan airbases. She stated that precision strikes were carried out on Pakistani military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian, as well as radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases, using air-launched weapons from Indian fighter aircraft.
5) Colonel Qureshi highlighted the extent of Pakistan's aggression, which included the use of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), long-range weapons, loitering ammunition, and fighter jets to target India's military structures.
6) The Indian Army Officer also revealed that Pakistan used long-range weapons to target the Indian military infrastructure. "Pakistan has continued its aggressive attack on the western border... They used UCAP drones, long-range weapons, loitering ammunition and fighter Jets to target India's military structures... At LoC they used drones and heavy-calibre weapons to attack... At the IB and LoC from Srinagar to Naliya, in more than 26 locations airspace infiltration was attempted," she said.
7) Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh disclosed that airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhujj and Bhatinda station equipment were damaged and personnel were injured. "Pakistan has used high-speed missiles at 1:40 am to target Punjab's airbase station... A condemning and unprofessional act was done by Pakistan by targeting Hospitals and Schools in Air bases in Srinagar, Awantipora and Udhampur," Col Qureshi added.
8) Wing Commander Singh asserted that while all hostile actions have been effectively countered with proportionate responses, India has reiterated its commitment to de-escalation, conditional on reciprocal restraint from Pakistan.
9) Wing Commander Singh confirmed that the Pakistan Army is moving troops towards forward areas.
10) The Indian Air Force Officer also busted Pakistan's lies that it destroyed India's S-400 air defence system. "In a swift and calibrated response, Indian armed forces carried out a precision strike only at identified military targets... Pakistan has also attempted to execute a continued malicious misinformation campaign, with claims of destruction of the Indian S-400 system, destruction of airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa... India unequivocally rejects these false claims being spread by Pakistan," she added.
