- NEW DELHI — India on Saturday said that Pakistan was escalating tensions along
the Western border by moving troops into forward areas, suggesting an offensive
intent to intensify hostilities.
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- The Indian armed forces, while reaffirming their
commitment to non-escalation, asserted that any further provocation would be
met with proportionate and decisive action.
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- At a Press briefing on 'Operation Sindoor', Wing
Commander Vyomika Singh, joined by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian
Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, said, "The Pakistan military has been
observed moving its troops into forward areas, indicating an offensive intent
to further escalate the situation. Indian armed forces remain in a high state
of operational readiness. All hostile actions have been effectively countered
and responded to appropriately."
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- "Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to
non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military," she
added.
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- Highlighting Pakistan's sustained aggression, Wing
Commander Singh said, "Along the Line of Control, Pakistan has attempted
multiple air intrusions using drones and conducted shelling using heavy calibre
RT guns targeting civilian infrastructure and killing some civilians. Heavy
exchange of artillery mortars and small arms fire in Kupwara, Baramulla,
Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor sectors continued."
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- India also condemned Pakistan's strikes on civilian
infrastructure, particularly at the Srinagar, Avantipur, and Udhampur air
bases.
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- "Pakistan has continued its provocations, targeting
the civilian and military infrastructures at medicare centres and school
premises located at air bases," said Singh.
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- According to the Indian Air Force, Pakistan attempted
harassment attacks and air intrusions across more than 26 locations stretching
from Srinagar to Nalia.
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- "Indian armed forces successfully neutralised these
threats and the majority of the vectors. However, limited damage was sustained
to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations in Udhampur, Pathankot,
Adampur, and Bhuj," she said.
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- "There were also several high-speed missile attacks
noticed subsequently after 01:40 hours in the night at several air bases in
Punjab," she added.
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- Terming the targeting of civil infrastructure as a
"deplorable cowardly act," Wing Commander Singh emphasised,
"Pakistan attacked the Medicare centre and school premises at the air
bases of Srinagar, Avantipur and Udhampur, once again displaying irresponsible
targeting of our civil infrastructure."
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- India responded with precision strikes aimed solely at
Pakistan's military infrastructure.
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- "In a swift and calibrated response, Indian armed
forces carried out precision attacks only on identified military targets. These
included technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and
weapon storage areas," she stated.