Special briefing on Operation Sindoor (May 09, 2025)

Summary

In this press briefing, Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Mishri provides an update on the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan following Pakistan's aerial violations and artillery shelling along the border. Mishri highlights Pakistan’s use of drones, disinformation campaigns, and attacks on religious sites. India’s military responded proportionately, neutralizing the threats while demonstrating restraint to avoid civilian casualties. The briefing also covers the suspension of the Kartarpur Corridor and international diplomatic engagements with the US, UK, and Norway to address terrorism. The Foreign Secretary condemns Pakistan's actions and reiterates India's firm stance against escalation.

Takeaways

• 😀 On the night of May 8th-9th, 2025, Pakistan launched multiple incursions into Indian airspace, targeting military infrastructure using drones and artillery.
• 😀 Pakistan fired heavy artillery along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in casualties to Indian military personnel, which was met with Indian retaliatory strikes.
• 😀 Approximately 300-400 drones were launched by Pakistan, with several of them neutralized by Indian defense systems using both kinetic and non-kinetic means.
• 😀 An armed UAV from Pakistan targeted Batinda military station but was detected and neutralized by Indian defense forces.
• 😀 India demonstrated restraint in its response to Pakistani attacks, ensuring the safety of international civil airliners during a high air defense alert in the Punjab sector.
• 😀 Pakistan’s actions included using civil airliners as shields during attacks, endangering civilian flights, which India prevented with its defensive measures.
• 😀 Pakistan denied responsibility for attacks on religious sites, including the Gurdwara in Poonch, and falsely accused India of targeting its cities, which India strongly refuted.
• 😀 A Pakistani shell hit a Christian school and convent in Puj, Jammu and Kashmir, leading to civilian casualties and destruction, marking another example of Pakistan's targeting of religious and civilian infrastructure.
• 😀 The Kartarpur Corridor has been suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing security situation, with India providing updates as the situation evolves.
• 😀 The Indian government strongly condemned Pakistan's ongoing disinformation campaigns, particularly in relation to attacks on religious sites and efforts to manipulate global opinion.

Q & A

What were the main actions taken by Pakistan on the night of May 8–9, 2025?

Pakistan's military carried out multiple violations of Indian airspace, including drone intrusions, artillery fire across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), and attempted targeting of military infrastructure with drones and heavy weapons.

How did the Indian armed forces respond to Pakistan's military actions?

In response, the Indian armed forces brought down a number of drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means, neutralized an armed UAV targeting Batinda military station, and launched armed drones at Pakistani air defense sites. They also retaliated with artillery fire, causing significant losses to the Pakistan military.

What role did drones play in the conflict between India and Pakistan on May 8–9, 2025?

Drones were used extensively by Pakistan for large-scale aerial intrusions along the border, with approximately 300–400 drones being deployed. These drones were likely used to test India's air defense systems and gather intelligence. Several drones were intercepted and brought down by Indian forces.

How did Pakistan's use of civil airliners affect the situation?

Pakistan did not close its civil airspace despite launching drone and missile attacks, using civil airliners as a shield. This put international civil flights, such as those between Karachi and Lahore, at risk. India demonstrated restraint by ensuring the safety of civil airliners while responding to the military threat.

What was the significance of the drone attack on the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara?

Pakistan's false claims about India targeting the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara via drone were part of a disinformation campaign. India rejected these claims, emphasizing that it had not targeted any religious sites, and accused Pakistan of trying to escalate tensions and mislead the international community.

What did Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri say about Pakistan's disinformation efforts?

Mishri criticized Pakistan for its blatant lies, including denying its attacks on religious places and accusing India of targeting civilian infrastructure. He stressed that Pakistan's efforts to mislead the world with false claims would not succeed.

How did the Indian government respond to the security situation at the Kartarpur Corridor?

Due to the prevailing security concerns along the India-Pakistan border, India temporarily suspended operations at the Kartarpur Corridor. The Indian government assured that updates would be provided when the security situation improves.

What international discussions were held regarding the situation between India and Pakistan?

India's External Affairs Minister had multiple discussions with global counterparts, including the US Secretary of State and the UK Foreign Secretary, focusing on counter-terrorism efforts, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and the recent terrorist attack in Pahelgam.

What was the impact of Pakistan's shelling on civilian infrastructure in India?

Pakistan's shelling caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including religious sites such as a Catholic school and a convent in Poonch, where students lost their lives and several others were injured. This highlighted Pakistan's disregard for civilian safety during military operations.

How did Pakistan's military actions affect its own armed forces?

Pakistan's military suffered major losses in retaliatory fire from Indian forces. While Pakistan initiated the attacks, the Indian armed forces responded decisively, inflicting significant damage on Pakistani military infrastructure.