During a latest press briefing, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said that Pakistan targeted 26 cities across India’s western border while those attacks were largely thwarted by the Indian military.
"Pakistani army is continuously attacking the western borders; it has used drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions and fighter jets to attack India's military sites... India neutralised many dangers, but Pakistan tried to infiltrate via Air at more than 26 places, and they damaged our equipment and personnel at air force bases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, Bathinda. They used high-speed missiles at 1:40 am to target Punjab's air base. They even attacked health facilities and schools...," Qureshi said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri added that India responded to Pakistan’s attacks in a measured way. Providing details on India’s air strikes, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that Indian armed forces carried out a precision strike only at identified military targets.
Singh also debunked the misinformation campaign rolled out by Pakistan, claiming to have caused destruction to India’s S-400 system. “Pakistan has also attempted to execute a continued malicious misinformation campaign, with claims of destruction of the Indian S-400 system, destruction of airfields at Surat and Sirsa... India unequivocally rejects these false claims being spread by Pakistan," Singh said.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also dismissed Pakistani claims of having destroyed Indian military installations, calling them "completely false and baseless."
Misri took a jibe at Pakistan saying, "It may be a surprise to Pakistan to see the citizens criticising their own government, as that is a hallmark of open and functional democracy. Pakistan's unfamiliarity with that shouldn't be surprising."
"We have also seen in some of the remarks that the Pakistani army spokesman seems to take great joy at the fact that the Indian public should criticise the government of India with various issues," he said.
Key Highlights from the Briefing
Pakistani actions have constituted provocations and escalations, Foreign Secretary said in the press briefing today.
Pakistan military also tried to destroy Punjab-based airbases by a high-speed missile after 0140 IST, Col. Qureshi said.
Pak claim about the air force stations in Sirsa, Suratgarh, being destroyed are false.
Pakistan Army has been observed to be moving its troops towards forward areas, indicating an offensive intent to further escalate the situation.
