'Pakistan army moving its troops to forward areas': Key takeaways from govt briefing on Operation Sindoor

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday said that Pakistan army continued to move its troops to forward areas and that it has taken a 'measured manner' in response to ongoing provocations and escalations.Foreign secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh conducted a press briefing on 'Operation Sindoor', informing the nation about the situation at the India-Pakistan border.'Pakistan moves troops toward forward areas'Pakistan Army has begun moving troops toward forward areas, indicating possible offensive intentions, as confirmed by Singh. "Pakistan Army has been observed to be moving its troops towards forward areas, indicating an offensive intent to further escalation. Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness, and all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded proportionately. Indian armed forces reiterated their commitment to non-escalation, provided the Pakistan side reciprocates," Singh said."In a swift and calibrated response, Indian armed forces carried out a precision strike only at identified military targets... Pakistan has also attempted to execute a continued malicious misinformation campaign, with claims of destruction of the Indian S-400 system, destruction of airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa... India unequivocally rejects these false claims being spread by Pakistan," she added.'Pakistan continues to escalate without provocation'The foreign secretary also said that over the past two to three days Pakistan has continued to escalate tensions. He added that India has reacted in a "measured fashion" to these escalations by Islamabad."Pakistani activities have continued to escalate with provocation over the past two to three days. In response, India has defended and reacted in a measured fashion to these provocations and escalations by the Pakistani side. Earlier this morning, we saw a repeat of these escalatory and provocative factors," Misri said.'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign by Pakistan'The government strongly rejected Pakistan's allegations about targeting infrastructure. The foreign secretary refuted all claims made by Pakistan regarding damage to Indian military installations and critical infrastructure."The claims that they have made about attacking various military installations are completely false. The claim about the air station in Sirsa being destroyed completely false. The claim about the air station in Surat—completely false.... These are lies about critical infrastructure, power systems and cyberstructures," Misri said. "I urge all who watch this not to be misled by the tissue of lies being peddled by Pakistan."Misri also addressed allegations about Indian actions in Afghanistan. "There is this yet again completely ludicrous claim that Indian mailers have hit Afghanistan totally frivolous allegation and I only want to point out that Afghan people don't need to be reminded about which country it is that has on multiple occasions in just the last one and a half years targeted civilian populations and civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan," he said.'Pak used drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions to attack India's military sites'Colonel Sofiya Qureshi detailed how Pakistan attempted to infiltrate via air at multiple locations, causing damage to equipment and personnel at air force bases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda. "Pakistani army is continuously attacking the western borders; it has used drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions and fighter jets to attack India's military sites. India neutralised many dangers, but Pakistan tried to infiltrate via Air at more than 26 places, and they damaged our equipment and personnel at air force bases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, Bathinda. They used high-speed missiles at 1:40 am to target Punjab's air base. They even attacked health facilities and schools," Qureshi said.