New Delhi: The immediate ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, effective from 5 pm on Saturday, came as a pleasant surprise, especially after the intense exchanges — drone and missile strikes — on both sides of the border.
But India made it clear that its Armed forces, while acting responsibly and proportionately, had caused “extensive damage” to Pakistan’s defence facilities after Pakistan’s military attacked several of our cities and targeted civilians.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who have been doing the media briefings for the last three days on behalf of Ministry of Defence, were joined by Commodore Raghu R Nair on Saturday evening shortly after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that both sides had agreed to stop all firing and military action on land, in the air and sea.
“Over the past few days, as we have seen, Pakistan suffered very heavy and unsustainable losses after unprovoked attack on our installations. It has suffered losses in both land and air. There has been an extensive damage to the crucial Pakistani air bases — Skardu, Jacobabad and Bholari,” informed Wing Commander Singh.
“In addition, a loss of AD (air defence) weapon system and radar made the defence of Pakistani airspace untenable. Across the Line of Control, extensive and precise damage to military infrastructure, command control centres, and logistic installations, in addition to that, two military personnel had led to a complete breakdown of its defensive and offensive capability and also Pakistani morale,” Singh revealed.
“In the highest regard, our operations have been aimed exclusively at terrorist camps and facilities being used for anti-India activities. No religious sites have been targeted by the Indian Armed forces,” the Wing Commander said.
Colonel Qureshi took it upon herself to bust some more lies which were being peddled by Pakistan.
“Pakistan claimed that it damaged our S400 and Brahmos missile base with its JF 17, which is completely wrong. Secondly, it also ran a misinformation campaign that our airfields in Sirsa, Jammu, Pathankot, Bhatinda, Nalia and Bhuj were damaged, and its misinformation is also completely wrong. Thirdly, according to Pakistan’s misinformation campaign, our ammunition depot in Chandigarh and Vyas was damaged, which is also completely wrong. Pakistan made false allegations that Indian Army damaged mosques. I want to make it very clear that India is a secular nation and our army is a very beautiful reflection of the constitutional value of India,” reiterated Col Qureshi.
Commodore Nair emphasised in no uncertain terms that India’s Armed forces, having repelled all efforts made by Pakistan to hurt India, will remain vigilant in defending the country.
“While we will be adhering to the understanding that is the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, we remain fully prepared and vigilant and committed to defending the sovereignty and integrity of the motherland. Every misadventure by Pakistan has been met with strength. Every future escalation will invite a decisive response. We remain fully operationally ready to launch whatever operations may be required in defence of the nation,” Commodore Nair said firmly.
It was a clear warning to Pakistan in case they come up with more mischief.
