Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday described the recent Pahalgam terror attack as the “original escalation” initiated by Pakistan, asserting that India’s subsequent response was deliberate, precise, and non-escalatory in nature. Speaking at a joint press conference, Misri clarified that India had no intention of escalating the situation but was compelled to act in response to Pakistan's aggression.
“Pakistan escalated on April 22. We are only responding to that escalation. If there is further provocation, our response will be appropriate and within the relevant domain,” Misri said.
Referring to discussions held at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) concerning the Pahalgam attack, Misri highlighted that Pakistan had opposed naming The Resistance Front (TRF), despite the group publicly claiming responsibility for the attack on two separate occasions.
“Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh reiterated that India's actions have been precise, measured, and non-escalatory. We have deliberately avoided targeting military installations. Only terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan has been struck,” Misri added.
The Foreign Secretary also took the opportunity to underline Pakistan’s long-standing links to global terrorism. “Pakistan’s reputation as the epicentre of global terrorism is built on numerous examples. One need not be reminded where Osama Bin Laden was found and who referred to him as a martyr,” he stated.
He further noted that Pakistan continues to harbor a large number of UN-designated terrorists, as well as individuals and groups proscribed by other countries. “In the past few days, even their own Defence Minister and a former Foreign Minister have acknowledged Pakistan’s connections to such terror outfits,” Misri said.
He criticised Pakistan’s official handling of funerals for terrorists, pointing out the incongruity in wrapping the bodies in national flags and according them state honors. “It’s strange that these so-called civilians are being buried with state honours,” he remarked.
Misri also condemned Pakistan's artillery attacks on civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically targeting the Sikh community. “On Wednesday, Pakistan deliberately shelled a gurdwara in Poonch and targeted Sikh civilians. Three individuals were killed in the assault. Overall, 16 civilians have died and several more have been injured in Poonch due to Pakistani firing,” he said.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence further elaborated on the situation, especially the developments surrounding India’s Operation Sindoor. During the press briefing, Indian officials had emphasised that their response was restrained, focused, and avoided any escalation. It was made clear that Pakistani military targets were not part of the operation, but any future attacks on Indian military installations would elicit an appropriate response.
The Ministry revealed that during the night of May 7–8, Pakistan attempted to strike multiple military targets across Northern and Western India using drones and missiles. The targets included locations such as Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.
India's Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Grid and Air Defence systems successfully neutralised these threats. Debris from the intercepted drones and missiles is currently being collected from various locations, confirming Pakistan’s attempted attacks.
In response to these provocations, the Indian Armed Forces on Thursday morning targeted Pakistani Air Defence Radars and associated systems at several locations. According to reliable sources, an air defence installation in Lahore was among the assets neutralised.
The Defence Ministry also reported an increase in unprovoked firing by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), particularly in the sectors of Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir. Mortars and heavy artillery have been used by Pakistani forces in these areas, resulting in the deaths of 16 civilians, including three women and five children.
India, in turn, has responded with calibrated artillery fire to silence the Pakistani positions and prevent further civilian casualties, the statement concluded.
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