Operation Sindoor Day 2: More Precision Strikes & a Firm Message to Pakistan

In a high-stakes press briefing on May 8, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri firmly reaffirmed India’s position on Pakistan’s escalating aggression, placing the onus of de-escalation squarely on Islamabad. Misri condemned Pakistan’s ongoing support for terrorism, which he described as a long-standing issue, and reiterated that India’s response—Operation Sindoor—was purely retaliatory.

"Our approach is not to escalate the situation; we only responded to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack," Misri stated. The attack, which left 26 people dead—mostly tourists—was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a group that has claimed responsibility multiple times. Misri pointed out that Pakistan, at a recently held United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting, had objected to naming TRF, further highlighting its duplicity.  

“This is a group that claimed the attack not once, but twice, and yet Pakistan denies its involvement. It shows the depth of their denial and complicity,” he said.

Targeted Attack on Sikh Community in Poonch

Pakistan’s aggression extended to targeting the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir. A gurdwara in Poonch was struck, killing three civilians. In total, 16 civilians, including women and children, have lost their lives due to Pakistani attacks.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi emphasized that India’s response has been non-escalatory, precise, and measured, targeting only terrorist infrastructure. No military sites were hit, reinforcing India’s commitment to avoiding unnecessary escalation.
Despite this, Pakistan retaliated on the night of May 7-8, targeting military sites in North and Western India—including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and other locations.

Referring to the strikes carried out under Operation Sindoor, Misri explained they were carefully calibrated and focused solely on terror infrastructure. Several camps were hit, including one in Bahawalpur, a known base of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added that Pakistan has intensified unprovoked firing across the LoC using mortars and heavy artillery in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors—resulting in civilian casualties, including three women and five children.

Terrorists Honoured with State Funerals

Foreign Secretary Misri criticised Pakistan for glorifying terrorists by wrapping their coffins in the national flag and giving them state honours. “Giving terrorists state funerals may be a practice in Pakistan, but it defies all international norms and logic,” he said. “The individuals eliminated at these facilities were terrorists—plain and simple.”

Indus Water Treaty Under Reassessment

Misri also stressed the need for a reassessment of the Indus Water Treaty due to fundamental changes in circumstances. He noted that while India has honoured the agreement for over six decades, Pakistan has repeatedly violated it. India has made repeated attempts to initiate renegotiations, to which Pakistan has not responded meaningfully.

Pakistan’s Economic Crisis and IMF

Regarding Pakistan’s economic crisis, Misri stated that India’s executive director at the IMF will present India’s position during the IMF board meeting scheduled for May 9. He added, “The case with regard to Pakistan should be self-evident to those people who generously open their pockets to bail out this country.”

Disinformation and Denial

Misri also addressed Pakistan’s misinformation campaign, particularly claims that it shot down Indian Rafale and MiG aircraft. Dismissing these as fabrications, Misri remarked, “When the time is right, an official statement will be made.” He cited Pakistan’s history of deceit dating back to 1947, when it misled the United Nations about its involvement in Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to a query about Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar’s claim that National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both countries are in touch, Misri said, “I have no information regarding contacts between the two NSAs.”

India’s Stand: No Escalation, No Backing Down

India has made its position crystal clear: it does not seek escalation, but it will not hesitate to respond with firm and proportional retaliation. “Pakistan escalated. We responded. The choice to de-escalate now lies with Pakistan,” Misri asserted.

With Operation Sindoor, India has signaled that while it does not seek conflict, it will decisively neutralize terror threats. The operation embodies New Delhi’s doctrine of measured retaliation—striking terror infrastructure with precision while safeguarding regional stability. As the world watches, India stands resolute: terrorism will be confronted, and state complicity will be called out. The question now is whether the global community will finally hold Pakistan accountable—or continue to look the other way.