On Friday night, India launched a retaliatory response after drones were detected overnight at 26 locations along the International Border and the Line of Control with Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs and Defence Ministry’s joint press briefing on Saturday morning went into great details about these major military decisions after reports suggested that India had targeted at least four of Pakistan’s key airbases early Saturday.

During the MEA presser, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi redirected the country’s attention to a series of videos allegedly showcasing India successfully thwarting 26 attack attempts by Pakistan. “Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness, and all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded proportionately,” Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said earlier today.

Indian Army intercepts Pak drone strikes

Prior to the press briefing, the Indian Army released a statement via its official X account. Offering visuals of hostile drones that authorities had intercepted, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) wrote, “Pakistan’s blatant escalation with drone strikes and other munitions continues along our western borders. In one such incident, today at approximately 5 AM, Multiple enemy armed drones were spotted flying over Khasa Cantt, Amritsar. The hostile drones were instantly engaged and destroyed by our air defence units.”

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The statement added, “Pakistan’s blatant attempt to violate India’s sovereignty and endanger civilians is unacceptable. #IndianArmy will thwart enemy designs.”

Despite already having made 26 separation locations in India as targets previously, Pakistan Air Force jets again attempted to raid Srinagar on Saturday morning. However, Indian Armed Forces’ retaliatory response “effectively” foiled it.

India attacks Pakistan’s airbases, radar sites, aviation base

India’s subsequent precision strikes on at least four airbases resulted in one being destroyed, according to ANI. The Pakistan Air Force bases Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Jhang district) were among these four location targets, as per Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudry’s address in Islamabad on early Saturday morning.

Although initial reports supplied only little detail about India’s counter-strikes, the MEA appeared to confirm during the briefing at 10:30 am that a total of eight Pakistan military sites were struck. Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stated that the precision strikes — as part of Operation Sindoor — locked targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chalala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian. Indian fighter aircraft also air-launched weapons at radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases.

“In response to Pakistan targeting civilian targets, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated and targeted technical installations, commands and control centres, radar sites and ammunition strongholds…,” Col Qureshi affirmed. “While carrying out these attacks, India has ensured minimal collateral damage.”

India vs Pakistan: ‘Calibrated response’

She also underlined that Pakistan’s continued aggressive attacks relied on UCAP drones, long-range weapons, loitering ammunition and fighter jets targeting India’s military structures. “At LoC they used drones and heavy-calibre weapons to attack… At the IB and LoC from Srinagar to Naliya, in more than 26 location airspace infiltration was attempted.” The Indian Army ultimately reportedly “successfully engaged an retaliated to the attacks.”

Col Sofiya further informed, “However, airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhujj and Bhatinda station equipment were damaged and personnel were injured.” Labelling Pakistan’s act of targeting hospitals and schools in Air bases in Srinagar, Awantipora and Udhampur as “unprofessional,” she condemned the neighbouring country’s aggressive stance.

According to an Indian Express report, Indian government officials called the retaliatory action against Pakistan a “calibrated a response.” They further noted that the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and its counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) grid, and long-range precision weapons served their purpose to not only enact rigorous air defence, but also launch a measured offensive action.

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Terrorist launchpads pulverised

In the aftermath of the Indian attacks, supposed footage shared by defence sources made headlines via ANI. Shared early morning, the video went viral as the Indian news outlet said, “Pakistani Posts and Terrorist Launch Pads from where Tube Launched Drones were also being launched, have been destroyed by the Indian Army positioned near Jammu.”

Soon after those visuals offered alleged proof of Indian Army’s latest retaliatory streak, officials shared more scenes on X, showing how the armed forces “pulverised terrorist launchpads.” The Indian Army shared that after Pakistan attempted drone strikes on May 8 and 8 in multiple cities of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, they conducted a coordinated fire assault on terrorist infrastructures and razed them to cinders.

“The terrorist launchpads, located close to the Line of Control, were a hub for planning and executing terror attacks against Indian civilians and security forces in the past. The Indian Army’s swift and decisive action has dealt a significant blow to terrorist infrastructure and capabilities,” the post added.

Pakistan ready to de-escalate, only if…

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has since considered de-escalation if India agrees to stop further attacks, according to AP. His latest remarks also signalled words of caution if India continued to launch any strikes, warning “our response will follow.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishanka and Pak’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday. In both calls, he reiterated the need to find measures to de-escalate, while also offering US assistance in starting constructive talks so that future conflicts between the nuclear powers could be avoided.

Dar told Pak’s Geo News that he put forth the same argument to Rubio during the call, noting, “We responded because our patience had reached its limit. If they stop here, we will also consider stopping.”