India asserts that Pakistan initiated the escalation with the Pahalgam terror attack and warns of proportionate response to any further provocation.
In a stern and unequivocal message to Pakistan, India on Thursday declared that the Pahalgam terror attack was the “original escalation” by Pakistan and that India had responded in a “controlled, precise, measured, considered and non-escalatory” manner with targeted strikes on terrorist infrastructure.
In a no-holds-barred briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri did not mince words in condemning Pakistan’s blatant role in harbouring and enabling terror groups. He reiterated that India’s intention is not to escalate tensions but to respond with proportionate force when provoked.
"Our approach is not to escalate the situation, we only responded to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack," he said.
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"Pakistan escalated the situation, we only responded. Choice is with Pakistan. If further escalation, the response will be in the appropriate domain,” Misri added.
He stated at the UNSC meeting that Pakistan opposed the mention of the terror group The Resistance Front (TRF), despite the fact that TRF had already claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack.
“This is after TRF claimed the responsibility of the attack not once, but twice... Col Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh clearly said yesterday as well as today, that India's response is non-escalatory, precise, and measured. Our intention is not to escalate matters and we are only responding to the escalation. No military targets have been targeted; only terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan has been hit,” Misri clarified.
Operation Sindoor: India Dismantles Terror Camps, Eliminates Over 100 Terrorists
India’s strikes, carried out under Operation Sindoor — that resulted in the dismantling of four terror camps deep inside Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) — were described by the Defence Ministry as “focused, measured and non-escalatory.” Over 100 terrorists were eliminated in the strikes. No Pakistani military establishment was targeted—only terror infrastructure was neutralised.
But even as India exercised restraint, Pakistan has continued its despicable targeting of civilians. Misri exposed Pakistan’s cowardly artillery attack on the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir. “Yesterday Pakistan launched a targeted attack on the Sikh community of J&K—hitting a gurdwara in Poonch and hitting the Sikh community members, who came under attack, and three individuals were killed in the attacks... A total of 16 civilians have been killed in Poonch and several others have been injured,” he said.
India, once again, showed military discipline by ensuring that only equivalent threats were neutralised. On the night of May 7-8, Pakistan attempted to hit multiple Indian military targets across Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Amritsar, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. These attacks were repelled by India’s Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems, and the debris collected proves Pakistani involvement.
India Strikes Pakistani Air Defence Systems in Proportional Retaliation
India’s Armed Forces responded Thursday morning by targeting Pakistani air defence radars and systems—particularly one in Lahore that has now been neutralised. This action, the Defence Ministry said, matched Pakistan’s aggression “in the same domain with same intensity.”
Misri Slams Pakistan’s Terror Nexus
Despite mounting international evidence of its terror ties, Pakistan continues to operate with impunity. Misri reminded the world of Islamabad’s deep-rooted legacy in global terrorism.
“I don't need to remind where Osama Bin Laden was found and who called him a martyr... Pakistan is also home to a large number of UN proscribed terrorists and also to terrorists proscribed by many countries... You must have seen in the last few days, their Defence Minister and former Foreign Minister accepted their country's involvement with such terror groups,” he said.
In a final damning observation, Misri highlighted Pakistan’s bizarre glorification of terrorists.
“It's also odd that funerals of civilians are being carried out by coffins wrapped in their national flag, and state honours are being awarded,” he said, calling out Pakistan’s blatant state-sponsored narrative that honours terror.