In a decisive diplomatic outreach, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has briefed envoys and representatives of 13 UN Security Council (UNSC) member countries, stressing that India’s strikes under Operation Sindoor were a “targeted, measured, and non-escalatory” response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Points from the Briefing:
- Misri emphasized that India was compelled to respond to the “barbaric” attack in which 26 civilians were killed, most of them executed with headshots at close range in front of their families.
- He told UNSC diplomats that the attack was an escalation by Pakistan-backed groups, with the terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF) — a known Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxy — initially claiming responsibility and then withdrawing to avoid further scrutiny.
- “The April 22 attack was an escalation for us,” Misri told the representatives, noting that Pakistan tried unsuccessfully to engineer a UNSC statement, indicating a deliberate plan to manipulate global perception.
Operation Sindoor: Strategic and Calibrated
- Misri clarified that India did not target any military infrastructure, only terrorist launchpads and training grounds, many of which were camouflaged within civilian-looking complexes like madrassas, dormitories, and playgrounds.
- He made clear that if Pakistan escalates by targeting civilian areas, India will respond appropriately.
- India struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), using precision munitions in a manner designed to prevent civilian casualties and minimize collateral damage.
“Our intelligence indicated more attacks were imminent. Our response was meant to deter and dismantle terror infrastructure. We acted with restraint and responsibility,” Misri told the UNSC members.
International Coordination and Evidence
- The Foreign Secretary informed the envoys that India’s missions abroad, particularly in Washington, are proactively engaging with all UNSC member states to explain the rationale and nature of India’s response.
- He shared credible evidence of the targeted sites being used for terror training and launching attacks on India, especially in the Kashmir region.
India Responds While Pakistan Escalates
While India has limited its actions to anti-terror precision strikes, Misri highlighted that Pakistan has retaliated by targeting civilian infrastructure in Poonch, further validating India’s claims of Islamabad’s disregard for humanitarian norms.
Armed Forces and Tactical Execution
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi provided further details on the operation earlier in the day:
- Nine camps were destroyed with zero civilian casualties, and the selected locations were based on intelligence inputs identifying them as key operational hubs for terror outfits.
- Colonel Qureshi also presented video evidence of the destruction of camps in Muridke, Sialkot, Kotli, and other known terror hotspots.
Context: Pahalgam Attack and National Response
On April 22, heavily armed terrorists launched an assault on Indian tourists in Pahalgam. The attackers executed civilians point-blank, traumatizing survivors and drawing strong national and international condemnation. India pledged swift and firm retaliation, leading to the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
Conclusion: A Call for Global Support Against Terror
India’s diplomatic briefings underscore its intent to isolate state-sponsored terrorism while maintaining regional stability. With strategic clarity and calibrated military action, India is reinforcing its position that terrorism, not self-defence, threatens global peace.