New Delhi, May 8: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday asserted that the recent Pahalgam terror attack marked the "original escalation" by Pakistan, prompting India to respond in a "controlled, precise, and non-escalatory" manner.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Misri emphasized that India's actions targeted terror infrastructure alone and avoided military escalation.
"Pakistan escalated on April 22, and we are only responding to that escalation. Should there be any further escalation, India will respond in an appropriate manner," he stated.
Misri criticized Pakistan for defending The Resistance Front (TRF) at the United Nations Security Council, despite the group claiming responsibility for the Pahalgam attack twice. "Our response has been targeted and deliberate. No military installations were struck—only terrorist infrastructure was hit," he said, reiterating statements by senior Indian defence officials.
He also pointed to Pakistan’s long-standing global reputation as a haven for terrorism. "Let us not forget where Osama bin Laden was found, and how Pakistan’s leadership referred to him. Pakistan continues to shelter UN-designated and internationally proscribed terrorists," Misri said.
He further condemned Pakistan for targeting civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. "Yesterday, artillery fire from across the border hit a gurdwara in Poonch, killing three Sikh civilians. So far, 16 civilians have died in Poonch due to Pakistan’s actions, with several more injured."
The Ministry of Defence, in a statement regarding "Operation Sindoor", clarified that India's retaliatory measures were measured and did not target Pakistani military establishments. However, on the night of May 7-8, Pakistan attempted to strike military targets across Northern and Western India—including cities such as Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, and Ludhiana—using drones and missiles. These were successfully intercepted by India’s air defence systems, with debris currently being recovered from several sites.
In response, Indian forces carried out precision strikes on air defence systems in Pakistan, reportedly neutralizing a facility in Lahore. The Defence Ministry stated that India’s actions mirrored Pakistan’s aggression in scale and domain.
Additionally, Pakistan has intensified unprovoked mortar and artillery fire along the Line of Control, targeting areas in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri. According to official figures, 16 civilians—including five children and three women—have been killed due to these attacks. India, the Ministry added, was compelled to respond to suppress enemy fire.( With Agency Input)
