Amid escalating tension with Pakistan, the government on Friday announced that the Kartarpur Corridor will remain suspended until further notice due to the prevailing security situation.
The visa-free crossing that links Dera Baba Nanak in India's Punjab with the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan has been closed, halting travel from the Indian side. When questioned during a media briefing in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained that the passageway "will remain suspended due to existing security scenarios until further directions."
This religious corridor has been closed since May 7, coinciding with India's launch of Operation Sindoor. The military action targeted nine terrorist facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist incident that claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh held a press conference on Friday and updated the media on the latest developments amid ongoing tension with Pakistan.
Pakistani Drones Neutralised By Armed Forces Using Kinetic And Non-Kinetic Means
"On the intervening night of 8th, 9th May 2025, Pakistan military carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace along the entire western border with an intent to target military infrastructure. Pakistan military also resorted to firing of heavy caliber weapons along the LoC. Along the international border and LoC Drone intrusions were attempted from Leh to Sir CreeK. Indian armed forces brought down these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means," Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said.
Pakistan Targeted School, Killed Students
During heavy shelling across the LOC in the early morning of 7 May, a shell fired from Pakistan landed just behind Christ School in Poonch. The shell hit the home of two students of the school, who unfortunately lost their lives, while their parents sustained injuries, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
US Committed To Work With India In Fight Against Terrorism
Foreign Secretary confirmed that EAM S Jaishankar had a conversation with the US Secretary of State on Operation Sindoor. He said that the discussion centered around countering terrorism, for which there must be zero tolerance. "The Minister deeply appreciated the US' commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism, and he also underlined the targeted measures that India had taken in connection with Operation Sindoor," he said.
Pakistan Used Civilian Planes As Cover While Attacking India
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, "Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite launching a failed unprovoked drone and missile attack on 7 May at 08:30 hours in the evening. Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response."
Pakistan's Deranged Fantasy
On Pakistan's allegation that India targeted its own and people, Foreign Secretary said, "Instead of owning up to its actions, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claims that it is the Indian armed forces that is targeting its own cities like Amritsar and trying to blame Pakistan... It is a deranged fantasy that only Pakistan can come up with...They are well-versed in such actions as their history would show... Pakistan spread disinformation that India targeted the Nankama Sahib Gurdwara through a drone attack, which is yet another blatant lie... Pakistan is trying desperately to impart a communal hue to the situation with an intention to create a communal discord."
