Amid Pahalgam Fallout, India Decides To Treat Any Future Terror Attack As 'Act Of War'
India has declared that any future act of terror will be treated as an “act of war” and met with a corresponding response, according to top government sources on Saturday. The announcement comes amid rapidly escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following a series of attacks and retaliatory strikes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level security meeting at his residence in New Delhi earlier in the day. The meeting was attended by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and the chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces.
The developments follow India’s retaliatory airstrikes on four Pakistani airbases in the early hours of Saturday. These strikes were carried out in response to Pakistan’s earlier assault on 26 Indian locations.
Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that precision strikes were conducted on Pakistani military targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian. Radar installations at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases were also targeted using air-launched weapons by Indian fighter aircraft.
In a joint press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed the media about the escalating situation.
Foreign Secretary Misri described Pakistan’s actions as “escalatory” and “provocative”. “Pakistan’s actions constituted provocation, escalation. In response, India defended and reacted in a responsible and measured fashion,” he said during the briefing, adding that evidence of Pakistan’s escalatory conduct was presented, alongside rebuttals to its false claims.
Despite the severity of the attacks, Indian defence forces successfully engaged and retaliated. However, airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhuj, and Bathinda suffered damage, and personnel were injured.
Particularly condemned was Pakistan’s launch of high-speed missiles at 1:40 AM targeting Punjab’s airbase station, as well as alleged unprofessional targeting of civilian areas, including hospitals and schools in airbases at Srinagar, Awantipora, and Udhampur.
India also firmly rejected what it called Pakistan’s “malicious misinformation campaign”, which included false claims about destruction of critical Indian military assets.
Addressing the press, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh highlighted Pakistan’s attempts to circulate disinformation. She said the false narratives included claims of damage to the S-400 air defence system at Adampur, airfields at Suratgarh and Sirsa, the BrahMos facility at Nagrota, and artillery-gun positions in Dehrangyari and Chandigarh.
“India unequivocally rejects these false narratives, which are part of a broader strategy to undermine India’s military capabilities and instil fear among the public,” she said.
Reports of heavy shelling and cross-border firing were also received from multiple locations along the Pakistan border on Saturday.
Russia Assures Support To India's Fight Against Terrorism, Promises To Expedite Military Orders
During his visit to Russia, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said Moscow has assured its full support to India in combating terrorism and has also promised to expedite military orders currently in the pipeline. Seth, who was in Russia to attend the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, held talks with Russian Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin to discuss enhanced military and technical cooperation.
“Russia assured that it will support us in our battle against all manifestations of terrorism and said the cooperation between the two nations will continue to advance based on existing agreements,” Seth told PTI before returning to New Delhi. He added that both sides had agreed to deepen ties through established frameworks and regular consultations.
Seth also expressed gratitude to Russia for supporting India in its stance against cross-border terrorism. He laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and addressed the Indian community in Moscow on Friday. “The colder the weather in Russia, the warmer the friendship with India,” he remarked, noting that the month of May, usually pleasantly warm, had been unusually cold this year.
Reflecting on his interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Seth said, “I had an opportunity to meet President Putin thrice. He very warmly greeted me and impressed me with his humble nature.”
Seth was selected to represent India at the Victory Day parade as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were unable to travel abroad due to escalating tensions with Pakistan.
'India’s Approach Always Been Measured Responsible': S Jaishankar Amid Tensions With Pak
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s position as a responsible global player. “India’s approach has always been measured and responsible and remains so,” Jaishankar said on Saturday following a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The phone call came at a time when the militaries of India and Pakistan had targeted each other’s installations, escalating tensions further.
The US State Department stated that Secretary Rubio emphasised the importance of both nations identifying methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to prevent miscalculation. “He further proposed US support in facilitating productive discussions to avert future disputes,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
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