The Impressive TimesNew Delhi: The central government on Saturday categorically rejected Pakistan’s “false and misleading” claims of having destroyed India’s S-400 air defence system and damaging airbases in Sirsa and Surat. Speaking at a press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri termed Pakistan’s allegations “provocative and escalatory”, stating that it is Islamabad’s own actions that have destabilized the region.
“Pakistan continues to engage in dangerous military adventurism, including drone incursions and artillery shelling across multiple Indian cities and towns. India has responded with restraint but will not hesitate to act decisively in defence of its sovereignty,” said Misri.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, briefing alongside the Foreign Secretary, detailed Pakistan’s repeated attempts to infiltrate Indian territory, particularly across more than 26 locations on the western front. “Pakistani troops have used long-range artillery, drones, and fighter jets to target military sites. Many threats were neutralized swiftly by our forces,” she stated.
Echoing these remarks, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that the Pakistan Army has been observed moving troops towards forward positions — a clear indication of “offensive intent aimed at escalating conflict”. She added, “Indian armed forces remain on high operational alert, and every hostile action has been met with an effective and proportionate response.”
Amid these developments, the early hours of Saturday were marked by a series of loud explosions heard in Jammu, Srinagar, and Udhampur, triggering panic among civilians. Authorities have since tightened security in all major urban and border areas.
Tragically, Pakistan’s shelling in Rajouri resulted in the death of Raj Kumar Thapa, the Additional District Development Commissioner of the region. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the shelling-affected areas later in the day and paid his respects at Thapa’s residence. He condemned the attacks as “cowardly and barbaric”.
In light of the heightened threat perception, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the temporary closure of 32 airports to civil operations until 5:29 AM on May 15. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) also extended the closure of 25 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route segments in the Delhi and Mumbai FIRs due to operational reasons and ongoing security concerns.
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