Watch Live: Special Briefing by MEA on Operation Sindoor
New Delhi, May 8, 2025 – Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, in a press briefing today, detailed India’s military response following Pakistan’s attempted attacks on multiple Indian cities overnight. The Indian Armed Forces neutralized Pakistani drones and missiles targeting 15 military locations in Northern and Western India, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. The Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems successfully intercepted these attacks, with debris now being recovered to confirm Pakistan’s involvement.
“During yesterday’s briefing on Operation Sindoor, we emphasized that our response was focused, measured, and non-escalatory, avoiding Pakistani military establishments,” Colonel Qureshi stated. “However, Pakistan’s attempt to target Indian military sites prompted a suitable response. This morning, Indian forces targeted air defense radars and systems at multiple locations in Pakistan, including neutralizing an air defense system in Lahore. Our actions match the intensity and domain of Pakistan’s aggression.”
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed the escalating violence along the Line of Control (LoC), reporting that Pakistan intensified unprovoked firing using mortars and heavy artillery in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. “This has tragically claimed 16 innocent lives, including three women and five children,” Singh said. “India was compelled to respond to halt Pakistan’s mortar and artillery fire. We remain committed to non-escalation, provided Pakistan respects this stance.”
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic maneuvers at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) regarding the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. “Pakistan opposed references to The Resistance Front (TRF), despite TRF claiming responsibility for the attack twice,” Misri noted. “As Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh reiterated, India’s actions target only terrorist infrastructure, not military assets. Our intention is to respond to escalation without broadening the conflict.”
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. India continues to urge restraint while maintaining its right to respond to further provocations.