India issued a strong rebuttal on Saturday to Pakistan’s claims of damaging key Indian military installations, with top defence and foreign affairs officials exposing what they called a deliberate misinformation campaign by Islamabad.
At a joint press briefing, Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stated that reports from Pakistan alleging strikes on sensitive defence infrastructure were completely false.
“Pakistan claimed that it damaged our S400 and Brahmos missile base with its JF 17, which is completely wrong. Secondly, it also ran a misinformation campaign that our airfields in Sirsa, Jammu, Pathankot, Bhatinda, Nalia and Bhuj were damaged, and its misinformation is also completely wrong,” said Col Qureshi.
She further dismissed claims of damage to ammunition depots. “Thirdly, according to Pakistan's misinformation campaign, our ammunition depot in Chandigarh and Vyas was damaged, which is also completely wrong. Pakistan made false allegations that the Indian Army damaged mosques. I want to make it very clear that India is a secular nation and our army is a very beautiful reflection of the constitutional value of India...”
Supporting her statement, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh clarified that India's military actions have remained focused on counter-terror operations alone.
“In the highest regard, our operations have been aimed exclusively at terrorist camps and facilities being used for anti-India activities. No religious sites have been targeted by the Indian Armed Forces,” she said.
Singh added, “There has been extensive damage to the crucial Pakistani air bases- Skardu, Jacobabad and Bholari. In addition, a loss of AD weapon system and radar made the defence of Pakistani airspace untenable...”
The briefing also saw Commodore Raghu R. Nair confirming a mutually agreed ceasefire across all military domains. “There has been an understanding that has been reached to stop all military activities at sea, in the air and on land. Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Forces have been instructed to adhere to this understanding...”
"While we will be adhering to the understanding reached today, we remain fully prepared to defend India's sovereignty," Commodore Raghu Nair said.
We remain fully operationally ready to launch whatever operations may be required in defence of the nation, he said at a media briefing.
Every misadventure by Pakistan will be met with strength and every future escalation will invite a decisive response, he said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the ceasefire arrangements following a call between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries. “Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time,” Misri said. “Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on the 12th of May at 1200 hours.”
Misri earlier described Pakistan's behaviour as “escalatory” and “provocative,” adding that India had acted responsibly and proportionately in response. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reinforced India’s uncompromising position against terrorism. “India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on the stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so.”
From the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the ceasefire as well. “Pakistan and India have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect. Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, without compromising on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that diplomatic efforts had helped facilitate the ceasefire and paved the way for broader peace talks. “Over the past 48 hours, VP Vance and I have engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, and National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Asim Malik. I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace,” Rubio said.
The ceasefire follows India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on May 2, which claimed 26 lives. Indian forces struck nine terror camps inside Pakistan, prompting retaliatory escalations by Pakistan using artillery and drones.
