In a decisive move amidst escalating tensions, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday, May 8, 2025, firmly rebutted claims from Pakistan regarding India's recent military actions, clarifying that 'Operation Sindoor' was a targeted counterterrorism initiative aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure, not civilians. Misri's comments came in the wake of a terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 individuals dead, predominantly tourists, and was attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Misri described the operation, which took place in the early hours of May 7, as a "legitimate and necessary response" in exercising India's right to self-defense. He emphasized that the strikes targeted nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) that were confirmed terrorist launchpads. "Our intention is not to escalate matters. We are only responding to the escalation," he stated, adding that the strikes were "non-escalatory, precise, and measured."
"No military targets have been hit. Only terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan has been struck," he reiterated, aiming to clarify the nature of India's military response.
The Foreign Secretary pointed out that India's intelligence agencies had gathered credible information indicating that further terror attacks were being planned against India, which necessitated a swift and decisive response. "Our intelligence agencies monitoring terrorist activities have indicated that there could be more attacks on India, and it was felt essential to both stop and tackle them," he explained.
Misri condemned Pakistan's reaction to the operation, particularly its claims of having downed Indian jets, which he characterized as an attempt to mislead the public. "There is nothing surprising in it," he remarked, alluding to Pakistan's historical tendency to misrepresent facts. He questioned the rationale behind state funerals being held for individuals identified by India as terrorists, stating, "It's odd that funerals of civilians are being carried out with coffins wrapped in their national flag, and state honors are being accorded. Giving state funerals to terrorists may be a practice in Pakistan, but it doesn’t seem to make much sense to us."
Misri also highlighted Pakistan's longstanding association with global terrorism, referencing well-documented instances, including the location of Osama Bin Laden. "Pakistan's reputation as the epicenter of global terrorism is rooted in a number of instances. I don’t need to remind where Osama Bin Laden was found and who called him a martyr," he said. He noted that Pakistan is home to numerous UN-proscribed terrorists and those blacklisted by other nations.
In response to questions regarding the ongoing conflict, Misri stated that the escalation began with the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, asserting that India was merely responding to Pakistan's provocations. He reiterated, "Pakistan escalated the situation; we only responded. The choice is with Pakistan." He also indicated that Pakistan's objection to naming the TRF during discussions at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was indicative of its attempts to shield terrorist organizations.
During the press briefing, Misri was flanked by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who provided additional context regarding the military operations. Singh noted that Pakistan had increased its unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC), utilizing mortars and heavy-caliber artillery in various sectors, including Kupwara, Baramulla, and Uri.
"Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control using mortars and heavy-caliber artillery," Singh confirmed, highlighting the ongoing nature of the conflict. Misri pointed out that any further actions by Pakistan would be viewed as further escalation and would be met with an appropriate response. "Any further action by Pakistan, some of which we are seeing today, is nothing but escalation once again, and will be responded to and is being responded to appropriately," he stated.
In a separate incident, it was reported that Pakistan had targeted several military installations in Indian territory, including air defense systems in Srinagar and other locations during the night of May 7-8, 2025. Misri confirmed these attacks, stating that Indian forces had also successfully targeted air defense systems in Lahore.
He noted that 16 civilians had been killed in Pakistan's shelling along the LoC, with reports of attacks on a gurdwara in Poonch that resulted in fatalities within the Sikh community. Misri described these actions as indicative of Pakistan's ongoing aggression and its support for terrorism.
As tensions continue to rise, Misri reiterated India's commitment to peace but made it clear that India would not tolerate any further escalations from Pakistan. "We are committed to non-escalation, provided it is respected by the Pakistani military," he concluded.
The situation remains fluid, with both nations on high alert as the international community watches closely for developments. As the conflict unfolds, the implications for regional stability and security are profound, raising concerns about the potential for further violence and loss of life.
