India Rejects Pakistan’s Claims of Striking S-400 System and Airbases, Reaffirms Retaliatory Action Under Operation Sindoor
The Indian government on Saturday firmly dismissed Pakistan’s claims that it had successfully targeted and destroyed India’s S-400 air defense systems and inflicted damage on airbases in Sirsa and Surat.
Speaking at a press briefing on Operation Sindoor, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri categorically called these assertions “false and baseless,” emphasizing that it was Pakistan’s aggressive actions that triggered the current escalation.
Misri stated that the series of provocations—including drone incursions, missile launches, and cross-border artillery fire—originated entirely from the Pakistani side.
Providing further details, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi revealed that Pakistan had made coordinated attempts to infiltrate Indian territory at more than 26 locations, deploying a mix of drones, fighter jets, and long-range weapons to target military facilities across India’s northern and western fronts.
These hostile efforts, she said, were effectively repelled by the Indian armed forces.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added that the Pakistani military is now observed to be mobilizing troops toward forward deployment zones, suggesting “a clear offensive intent to further escalate hostilities.” She reassured the nation that Indian forces remain in a high state of operational readiness, with all hostile actions being countered proportionately and effectively.
Civilian Casualties and Continuing Shelling
In the early hours of Saturday, a series of explosions rattled several cities in Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu, Srinagar, and Udhampur. In Rajouri, heavy shelling from the Pakistani side resulted in the death of Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa, whose house was struck directly.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep grief over the loss and later visited affected civilian areas as well as Thapa’s residence to offer condolences and support to the bereaved family.
Civil Aviation and Airspace Restrictions
In response to the security situation, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that 32 civilian airports would remain closed to all commercial flight operations until 5:29 AM on May 15, 2025.
This move, described as a precautionary step, is intended to streamline military operations and air traffic.
The Airports Authority of India also extended the suspension of 25 air traffic route segments within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs), citing operational requirements amid heightened military readiness.
India’s Counter-Offensive: Operation Sindoor
India had earlier launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking nine major terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The operation was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians. According to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, over 100 terrorists were neutralized during the operation, which included the use of precision-guided missiles against high-value targets linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Drone Attacks and Air Threats Continue
Despite India’s successful countermeasures, Pakistani forces continued their aerial aggression on Friday night, launching a fresh wave of drone attacks at 26 separate locations, spanning from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south.
The Indian Army stated that it has intercepted and neutralized these threats using advanced counter-drone defense systems and reiterated that all critical infrastructure remains secure.
Pakistan’s Claims and International Reaction
In a separate development, Pakistan’s military claimed—without presenting evidence—that Indian missiles had struck four of its airbases, including three located in Chaklala and Chakwal in Rawalpindi, and Shorkot in Jhang district.
Indian officials dismissed these statements as propaganda aimed at creating confusion and garnering international sympathy.
The ongoing tensions have drawn global attention. In a statement issued Saturday, the G7 foreign ministers strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and called for maximum restraint from both sides.
The G7 urged India and Pakistan to immediately de-escalate the conflict and resume diplomatic dialogue.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and urged both nations to pursue de-escalation.
He also offered U.S. assistance in facilitating constructive dialogue, aiming to prevent the situation from spiraling into a wider conflict.
