Pakistan Moves Troops, Targets Indian Military Sites with Fighter Jets: MEA

The standoff between India and Pakistan has escalated dramatically in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead. On Saturday, the Indian government confirmed that the Pakistani Army has intensified hostilities along India’s western front, launching a series of coordinated assaults using drones, high-speed missiles, loitering munitions, and fighter jets.

In turn, India retaliated with accurate targeting of Pakistani military bases while being committed firmly to proportionate retaliation and de-escalation.

Provocations and Escalation by Pakistan

Pakistani military has started mobilizing troops towards forward areas—a development that marks intention to deepen the conflict, Indian officials said. “Pakistani troops have been observed moving into forward areas, indicating their intent to further escalate the tensions,” said Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

Despite the growing pressure, India has been cautious in its military reaction. “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.

Pakistan’s aggression has not only been focused against military targets but even essential civilian infrastructure. “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,” Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said during a press conference. She continued, “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.”

India’s Precision Retaliation and Commitment to Restraint

India’s military responded quickly to these attempts. As Wing Commander Singh informs, “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.”

India retaliated in retaliatory action at early Saturday hours following a missile assault from Islamabad’s several high-velocity missiles toward Indian airfields located across various cities of Punjab. This came in the form of the most recent in an already heated skirmish.

Adding to the intensity, Pakistan’s Byker YIHA III Kamikaze drones were recovered and neutralized in Punjab’s Amritsar. “The attempt was foiled by the Indian Army Air Defence guns at 5 am as the drones were shot down in the air itself,” defence officials said. Remnants of unidentified projectiles were also spotted in Rajasthan’s Barmer, highlighting the extensive nature of the Pakistani offensive.

Operation Sindoor: India’s Counteroffensive

The Pakistan raids were in response to India’s latest counterterrorism operation—Operation Sindoor—conducted on Wednesday. Nine terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were targeted in the mission as a direct reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack. Official reports suggest that a minimum of three airbases in Pakistan were attacked by Indian airstrikes during Saturday’s early morning hours.

Col Qureshi reaffirmed, “A Befitting reply has been given to Pakistani actions, as sporadic firing continues along the Line of Control. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also echoed similar views, saying, “It is Pakistani actions that have constituted provocations and escalations. In response, India has defended and reacted in a responsible and measured fashion.”

Since the situation is still fluid, the Indian military continues to maintain high levels of readiness while calling on Pakistan to exercise restraint and stop its aggression. The government’s stance remains firm: calibrated and strategic reactions are important to avoid further escalation, but national security will not be sacrificed.