Operation Sindoor: India Denies Pakistani Allegations of Major Military Damage, Cites ‘Measured Response’

The Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Army, and the Indian Air Force during a presser on Saturday dismissed Pakistan’s claims of inflicting major damage on Indian military assets during the cross-border strikes. In a coordinated briefing, officials labelled the allegations as “false” and part of a broader misinformation campaign. They detailed India’s "measured military response", dubbed Operation Sindoor, which was launched in retaliation for the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam. The strikes by Pakistan, officials said, were “provocative”, but India had responded in a “calm, proportionate and effective” manner.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, flanked by Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, said India had acted “calmly, proportionately, and effectively” in the face of a sudden escalation along the western front.

Colonel Qureshi revealed that Pakistan began an offensive late Friday night using a combination of high-speed missiles, drones, loitering munitions, and manned fighter aircraft. “At approximately 1:40 am, high-speed missiles were launched towards a critical Indian Air Force base in Punjab,” she said. Additional attacks were carried out on IAF stations in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda, she added.

According to Colonel Qureshi, Indian air defence systems successfully intercepted several projectiles, but some installations did suffer limited damage. “Our air defence neutralised many threats, but Pakistan attempted aerial intrusions at more than 26 locations. We did suffer equipment and personnel losses at air force bases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda,” she admitted.

She went on to say that there were attempted drone incursions and sightings of armed unmanned aerial vehicles in multiple cities, including Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Jammu, Pathankot, Bhuj, and Jaisalmer. “In these locations, Indian forces responded with a mix of kinetic intercepts and radar-guided countermeasures,” she said.

Colonel Qureshi also alleged that Pakistan targeted civilian infrastructure during the offensive. “They attacked health facilities and schools in Srinagar, Avantipora, and Udhampur. These actions represent a dangerous escalation that violates every accepted convention,” she noted.

Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh described India's counter-strikes as “swift and calibrated,” stressing that they were aimed strictly at verified military installations within Pakistan’s territory. “Pakistan has also attempted to execute a continued malicious misinformation campaign, with claims of destruction of the Indian S-400 system and airfields at Surat and Sirsa. India unequivocally rejects these false claims being spread by Pakistan,” she added accusing Pakistan of launching an orchestrated disinformation campaign.​