New Delhi: Air Marshal AK Bharti clarified on Monday that Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian Armed Forces, was aimed strictly at terrorist targets, not the Pakistan military or civilians.
Speaking at a press briefing, Air Marshal Bharti stated, “Our fight is with the terrorists, not with the Pakistan military or the Pakistani people. Our targeting has been precise and deliberate.”
He highlighted that the operation, conducted in the early hours of May 7, was a retaliatory strike in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives, including that of a Nepali national. Indian forces struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).
Bharti praised India’s indigenous defence capabilities, saying, “Our counter-systems and air defence teams have proven their effectiveness. We have shown that regardless of emerging technologies, we are ready to respond. The results speak for themselves.”
Commenting on the changing nature of warfare, he added, “Future wars will look very different. This is a cat-and-mouse game—we must always stay ahead of our adversaries.”
When questioned about alleged strikes on Kirana Hills, believed to be a sensitive site in Pakistan, Bharti responded wryly, “Thank you for informing us that Kirana Hills houses a nuclear installation—we weren’t aware. We have not targeted that area.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) reached out to his Indian counterpart. Both sides agreed to halt all military actions—on land, at sea, and in the air—effective from 5 p.m. on May 10, with a follow-up round of DGMO-level talks set for May 12.
However, shortly after the agreement, reports emerged of Pakistani drones violating the ceasefire, prompting India’s air defence systems to respond over Srinagar, amid enforced blackouts in Udhampur, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer.
Addressing the incident, Misri said, “India takes these violations very seriously. We urge Pakistan to act responsibly and uphold the ceasefire.”
