We Responded to Terror on May 7, Pakistan Now Siding with Terrorists: India on Escalation

Vinay Mohan Kwatra, ambassador of India to the US, strongly criticised Pakistan in an interview with CBS News, saying its actions clearly showed support for terrorists over the global community. Addressing the recent escalation following the Pahalgam terror attack, Kwatra stated that India had completed its measured response with Operation Sindoor on May 7 and does not wish to escalate further.

“We have carried out a response to that [Pahalgam] terror attack and we are clear in so far as our response to terrorism is concerned, that part was closed at that time,” he said, adding that the point of escalation was only the Pahalgam terror attack.

Criticising Pakistan's action yesterday to engage with India's armed forces, Kwatra added, "Yesterday what Pakistan did actually conveys a very clear signal to all of us and to the rest of the world that they actually stand with the terrorists, not with the rest of the civilised world."

Earlier in an interview with CNN, answering a question if India is at war with Pakistan, Kwatra underlined that India is at war with terrorists and it will bring justice to the victims and hold them accountable.

In the intervening night of May 9 and 10, Pakistan launched multi-vector attacks along the western border using drones, UCAVs, artillery and missiles—targeting over 26 locations from Srinagar to Nalia, the defence ministry confirmed. Indian Air Force (IAF) bases at Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj sustained limited damage, it added.

"In a cowardly act, Pakistan also struck civilian infrastructure including Medicare centres & schools. India responded with swift precision strikes on identified military targets at Rafiqi, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan and more, ensuring minimal collateral damage," the ministry noted.

It also said that troop movements on the Pakistani side signal intent to escalate. India reiterated its commitment to non-escalation, provided there is mutual restraint, while remaining in a high state of operational readiness.

On April 22, terrorists killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. In response to which, India launched its decisive military mission 'Operation Sindoor' in the early hours of May 7. India clearly stated that it only targeted nine terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.

"Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted," said the Ministry of Defence.

However, right after the mission, Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on over 36 Indian cities, targeting around 36 cities, according to the government. But the Indian armed forces neutralised all.

On Thursday, addressing a briefing on Operation Sindoor, which reportedly claimed the lives of 100 terrorists, India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri highlighted a photograph where Pakistani terrorists were being given state funerals, in the presence of military officials.