India Confirms Pak Strikes on Bases New Delhi, May 10 – India has officially confirmed that several of its military installations were targeted by coordinated Pakistani drone and missile strikes overnight but firmly denied Islamabad’s assertions of significant destruction to its infrastructure. In a joint press briefing held on Saturday morning, top representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian Army, and Indian Air Force (IAF) addressed the media, describing Pakistan’s actions as “provocative, reckless, and deeply escalatory.”
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, accompanied by Army spokesperson Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, delivered a comprehensive update on the developing situation along the western front and offered an assessment of Operation Sindoor — India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians.
“A Fabrication of Falsehoods”
Addressing reports circulated by Pakistani media about alleged large-scale destruction of Indian airbases and missile defence systems, Foreign Secretary Misri called the claims “a fabrication of falsehoods” designed to mislead both domestic and international audiences.
“Assertions have been made suggesting that Indian air defence systems, including the S-400, and strategic military installations were rendered inoperative. These are utterly baseless,” said Misri. “Our systems remain intact, and critical defence capabilities are fully functional. Any reported outages or disruptions are minor and temporary in nature.”
He clarified that while India acknowledges physical impacts at several sites, especially in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, operations at the majority of targeted facilities have either resumed or remained uninterrupted.
Pakistan Targeted 26 Indian Locations
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi detailed Pakistan’s aggressive manoeuvres, confirming that 26 sites across northern and western India came under attack from a combination of drones, loitering munitions, high-speed missiles, and attempted airspace violations. She cited airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Bathinda, Bhuj, Adampur, Sirsa, and Suratgarh among those engaged.
“Around 1:40 a.m., Pakistan launched high-speed missile attacks, specifically targeting the Pathankot airbase,” she stated. “Though some damage to military hardware occurred and a few personnel sustained injuries, our defensive systems managed to intercept and neutralise a significant number of incoming threats.”
Colonel Qureshi confirmed that armed Pakistani UAVs attempted intrusions over Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Jammu, and Jaisalmer. “Multiple attempted airspace violations were effectively repelled using kinetic intercepts and radar-guided jamming systems,” she added.
She further condemned Pakistan’s deliberate targeting of non-military infrastructure. “Health facilities and educational institutions in Srinagar and Avantipora were struck, a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.”
No Damage to S-400, Indian Bases Operational
IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh strongly rebutted allegations that India’s advanced S-400 air defence system had been compromised.
“These stories are part of a sustained misinformation campaign orchestrated by the Pakistani military and state media,” said Singh. “Let me state unequivocally: India’s S-400 system is operational, our airbases are active, and our response capabilities remain robust.”
She also addressed Pakistan’s attempts to circulate doctored visuals and unverified footage to support its narrative. “Disinformation warfare is part of their playbook. But facts are clear — India’s core capabilities remain intact.”
Operation Sindoor and Indian Counterstrikes
India launched Operation Sindoor as a calibrated retaliatory measure in response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, attributed to Pakistan-backed terror networks. As part of the operation, precision airstrikes were conducted early Saturday targeting high-value Pakistani military assets.
Colonel Qureshi elaborated that the Indian Air Force hit command centres and radar stations in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala (Nur Khan Air Base), and Rahim Yar Khan. She also confirmed that radar and surveillance installations at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases were neutralised.
“These were carefully selected targets based on intelligence inputs, chosen to degrade Pakistan’s offensive capability while minimising civilian harm,” she explained.
Explosions Rock Pakistani Bases
Simultaneously, powerful blasts were reported at key Pakistani air installations, including Chaklala Air Base near Islamabad — a dual-use facility for the air force and VIP transport. The Pakistani government has since closed its entire airspace to civilian and commercial aircraft, citing “security concerns.”
India Stays the Course
Despite the escalation, Indian officials stressed that the country remains committed to regional peace but would not tolerate acts of terror or military provocations.
“Our actions are proportionate and defensive. We will act decisively to protect our sovereignty and civilian population,” concluded Foreign Secretary Misri.
As global powers begin to take note of the rapidly deteriorating situation, calls for restraint are expected. Meanwhile, India has placed all forward bases on high alert and continues active surveillance across the western front.
