New Delhi [India]: In a sharp and evidence-backed rebuke of Pakistan’s attempts to dissociate itself from terrorism, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday detailed Islamabad’s long-standing nexus with global terror networks, while defending India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor.
During a joint press briefing held by the Ministry of External Affairs, Misri exposed contradictions in Pakistan’s narrative, including its past denial and later confirmation of terrorist figures like Sajid Mir, and cited the nation’s military presence at funerals of slain terrorists as proof of state sponsorship.
“It’s odd that funerals of so-called civilians are conducted with Pakistani flags and state honours. The individuals eliminated were terrorists. Giving state funerals to terrorists may be a Pakistani practice, but it defies all logic,” Misri stated.
He also condemned Pakistan’s recent targeted attack on a Sikh gurdwara in Poonch, which killed three civilians and injured several others, accusing Islamabad of deliberately targeting minority communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
On Global Terrorism Footprint:
Misri said Pakistan remains a hub for UN-proscribed terrorists, referencing:
- Osama Bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad.
- The resurrection of Sajid Mir, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, after Islamabad had falsely claimed his death.
- Pakistan’s historical opposition at the UNSC to naming The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, despite clear admissions of guilt by the group.
“Pakistan’s claim that there are no terrorists in its territory is not only absurd, but has been repeatedly contradicted by global intelligence and its own ministers,” he said.
On India’s Military Response (Operation Sindoor):
Misri confirmed that India’s May 7 pre-dawn strikes were targeted solely at terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). Over nine major terror hubs were destroyed using long-range precision weapons, and over 100 terrorists were reportedly eliminated.
“India’s response was measured, precise, and non-escalatory. No military or civilian infrastructure was targeted — only known terror facilities were hit,” he clarified.
When questioned about Pakistani allegations of religious site damage, he called such claims “completely false.”
Further military engagements included:
- Drone and missile attacks by Pakistan on multiple Indian cities including Jammu, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bhuj — all neutralized by India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence systems.
- Retaliatory Indian drone strikes targeting Pakistani air defence radar systems in Lahore.
Closing Statement:
“India does not take Pakistani assertions at face value anymore,” Misri concluded. “We have no confidence in their willingness for fair investigations, especially after their actions post-Pahalgam. Our armed forces will respond appropriately to any misadventure.”