'New low even for Pakistan': Foreign secretary Vikram Misri slams Pakistan for targeting 'gurdwaras, churches and temples'

NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Friday condemned Pakistan for targeting places of worship, including gurdwaras, churches, and temples, calling it "a new low even for Pakistan" amid escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries.Addressing a joint press conference held by the Ministry of External Affairs and the armed forces, Misri condemned Pakistan for deliberately targeting schools and religious sites along the Line of Control (LoC), stating that, "Pakistan is targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design, including gurdwaras, churches and temples.This is a new low even for Pakistan."He added that during heavy shelling on the morning of May 7, a shell fired from Pakistan landed behind Christ School in Poonch. "The shell hit the home of two students of the school, who unfortunately lost their lives and their parents sustained injuries," he continued."Several school staff and locals took refuge in an underground hall of the school during the shelling by Pakistan," Misri noted.The briefing came after Pakistan launched multiple attacks in several cities in Jammu and Punjab on Thursday night using drones and missiles which were intercepted by the Indian Army.The neighbouring nation's actions were in retaliation to Operation Sindoor that targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.Pakistan's actions were termed "escalatory" in nature while the MEA maintained that its actions were "non-escalatory and measured".Further responding to Pakistan’s claim that Indian armed forces are "targeting their own cities" and blaming Pakistan, Misri dismissed the allegation as a "deranged fantasy" and a clear attempt to spread disinformation."Instead of owning up to its actions, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claims that it is the Indian armed forces that is targeting its own cities like Amritsar and trying to blame Pakistan. They are well-versed in such actions as their history would show." Misri noted.Speaking at the briefing, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said that the Pakistani army had violated Indian airspace multiple times "across the entire western border.""On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy caliber weapons along the Line of Control," Colonel Sofiya said."Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations. The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones," she added.India-Pakistan ties detoriated after the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen. In response, India carried out Operation Sindoor on Wednesday, striking nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.