NEW DELHI: In a significant escalation of military tensions, the Indian government reported on Saturday that Pakistan has been persistently targeting India’s western borders with advanced weaponry. This includes the use of drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter jets. During a joint briefing, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi detailed that these attacks have spanned 26 distinct locations, ranging from Srinagar to Chhalliya, impacting not only military installations but also civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools.

Colonel Qureshi emphasized the relentless nature of these attacks, stating, “The Pakistani army is continuously attacking the western borders; it has employed drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter jets to assault India's military sites.” She further disclosed that Indian forces have neutralized numerous threats, yet there were attempts by Pakistan to infiltrate at various points. Notably, high-speed missiles were launched at 1:40 AM targeting an airbase in Punjab, with reports of damage to equipment and personnel particularly at air force bases located in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda.

Pakistan's offensive has also included strikes on military hospitals in locations such as Srinagar, Avantipur, and Udhampur, further straining the already tense relations. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh commented on the situation, raising alarms about the movements of Pakistani troops towards forward positions, which suggests a possible intent to escalate hostilities further.

“The Pakistan Army has been observed to be moving its troops towards forward areas, indicating an offensive intent to escalate tensions. The Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness, and all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to proportionately,” Singh stated, underscoring India's commitment to maintaining peace unless provoked.

Colonel Qureshi articulated India’s position, asserting that the armed forces executed a precision strike targeting only identified military installations as a form of punitive response to Pakistan’s provocations. “In a swift and calibrated response, Indian armed forces carried out a precision strike only at identified military targets,” she asserted.

In a broader context, Qureshi also addressed Pakistan's allegations regarding the destruction of Indian military assets, including claims about the Indian S-400 missile defense system. She firmly rejected these assertions as malicious misinformation, stating, “India unequivocally rejects these false claims being spread by Pakistan.”

This latest account follows an incident where Indian armed forces targeted six Pakistani air bases in retaliation for ongoing provocations across the Line of Control and International Borders. The Border Security Force (BSF) also reported the successful destruction of a terrorist launch pad in Sialkot, which was targeted following unprovoked firing initiated by Pakistan on BSF posts in the Jammu Sector.

The BSF reported, “On 09 May 2025, from about 2100 hrs, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing on BSF posts in the Jammu Sector. We responded in a commensurate manner, causing widespread damage to the posts and assets of the Pakistan Rangers along the International Boundary.” This highlights the continuous cycle of violence and retaliation that has defined the region for decades.

In a separate development, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemned Pakistan's recent claims of Indian forces attacking their own cities. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described these assertions as a “deranged fantasy” and an attempt to mislead regarding the true nature of the border situation. “Instead of owning up to its actions, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claims that it is the Indian armed forces targeting its own cities like Amritsar,” Misri stated, hinting at Pakistan’s historical proclivity for such disinformation tactics.

The backdrop to these tensions includes a recent series of precise missile strikes by Indian forces targeting nine terror locations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan itself, conducted under Operation Sindoor. This military response was triggered by the tragic terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent civilians. The situation escalated further following a large-scale violation of Indian airspace by Pakistan on the night of May 7 and 8, during which hundreds of drones and heavy artillery were deployed across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border.