India's response firm to Pakistan’s provocative strikes: MEA
Indian govt accused Pakistan of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including medical and educational facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura, and Udhampur.
In a joint press conference on Saturday (May 10), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) firmly addressed Pakistan’s recent escalations, dubbing them both "provocative and escalatory".
Senior officials — including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi — laid out India’s position and detailed the Indian military’s actions over the past three days.
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Pakistan’s provocative actions
In his statement, Foreign Secretary Misri described the Pakistani military’s actions as deliberate provocations and escalations. He emphasised that India had responded in a measured and calibrated manner.
According to the MEA, Pakistan deployed drones and high-calibre weapons to target both civilian and military infrastructure in India.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi revealed that at 1:40 am on the intervening night of May 9-10, Pakistan launched high-speed missiles aimed at an Indian airbase in Punjab.
This attack follows Pakistan’s ongoing pattern of using drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter jets to strike Indian military bases along the western front.
Additionally, Misri stated that Pakistan shelled the town of Rajouri this morning, resulting in the death of Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa, adding to the civilian casualties and infrastructure damage in the region.
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India’s measured response
During the briefing, Misri reported that Pakistan had attacked 26 locations across India, all of which were intercepted and neutralized by the Indian Armed Forces.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stressed that the Indian military responded swiftly and precisely, focusing exclusively on Pakistani military targets.
These included technical infrastructure, command and control centers, radar sites, and weapons storage facilities. Singh noted that India’s counter-strikes targeted Pakistani military bases, including those in Rahim Yar Khan.
Singh further assured that all hostile actions from Pakistan were effectively countered and that the Indian armed forces remain in a heightened state of operational readiness.
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Civil infrastructure targeted
The Indian government accused Pakistan of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including medical and educational facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura, and Udhampur, an act it labeled deplorable and cowardly.
In contrast, Indian forces exercised operational restraint, ensuring minimal collateral damage and focusing solely on military installations.
The MEA acknowledged “limited damage to equipment and personnel” at military facilities in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, and Bhuj.
The government also confirmed that Pakistan has been moving its troops into forward positions, signaling offensive intent and further heightening tensions.
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Debunking false narratives
Foreign Secretary Misri firmly rejected Pakistan’s claims of having inflicted critical infrastructure damage, calling them “completely false”. He also dismissed Pakistani assertions that missiles had been fired at religious sites, describing such claims as “ludicrous.”
He further said that the claims made by the Pakistani State Agencies about attacking and destroying various military installations in India are completely false.
Misri highlighted that the Pakistani state’s statements about destroying Indian military installations are filled with lies, misinformation, and propaganda.
Wing Commander Singh added: “Pakistan has also attempted to conduct a sustained malicious misinformation campaign, claiming the destruction of India’s S-400 air defense system and the destruction of airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa. India unequivocally rejects these false claims being spread by Pakistan.”
Readiness and restraint
Foreign Secretary Misri underscored that India’s armed forces remain in a state of high operational readiness and have been effectively responding to all attacks.
He emphasised that while India has delivered a firm and proportionate response to Pakistan’s hostile actions, it remains committed to avoiding further escalation — provided Pakistan chooses to reciprocate.