NEW DELHI, May 10 — India launched a precise retaliatory operation early Saturday morning, striking military installations across Pakistan after a series of drone incursions targeted 26 locations on the Indian western front, senior government and military officials said.
“Pakistan initiated an unprovoked attack using drones and heavy weaponry across multiple Indian cities,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during a high-level press briefing. “India responded with restraint but with clear intent.”
Military officials said the swift Indian operation neutralized key Pakistani military assets, severely impacting their surveillance and attack capabilities.
Around six Pakistani military sites were hit during the pre-dawn response, sources confirmed.
According to the Centre, Pakistan’s offensive also included strikes on Indian airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, and Bathinda late Friday night, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army confirmed that Pakistani forces also struck civilian facilities in Srinagar, Avantipura, and Udhampur. “Their attacks extended beyond military targets to include schools and hospitals,” she said.
In a parallel development, Indian intelligence observed Pakistani forces mobilizing troops towards forward positions.
“This movement indicates a readiness for further escalation,” said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force.
Despite the rising tensions, India stressed that it remains open to de-escalation—provided Pakistan reciprocates.
“Indian armed forces are on high alert,” Singh said. “We are committed to non-escalation, but our response has been proportional and resolute.”
She further clarified that the Indian military strikes were confined to identified military targets and dismissed Pakistan’s claims of destroying key Indian defence infrastructure.
“Allegations about the destruction of our S-400 systems and airbases at Suratgarh and Sirsa are entirely baseless. These are part of Pakistan’s ongoing misinformation campaign,” Singh said.
As the situation along the border remains tense, officials reiterated India’s position: while it will defend every inch of its territory, it is not seeking to escalate the conflict unless provoked further.
