India Rejects Pakistan’s Disinformation Campaign, Affirms Counter-Terrorism Strikes Were Precise and Targeted
New Delhi, May 8, 2024 – In a forceful rebuttal of Pakistan’s disinformation campaign, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed a press conference today, asserting that India’s airstrikes, codenamed Operation Sindoor, were a legitimate response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22nd. He categorically rejected Pakistan’s narrative of escalation, emphasizing that India’s actions were precise, measured, and targeted solely at terrorist infrastructure, posing no threat to civilian or military establishments.
Misri underscored that the Pahalgam attack, which tragically claimed 26 lives, constituted the "original escalation," and India’s subsequent airstrikes were a necessary counter-terrorism measure. He reiterated India’s assessment that the Pakistan-backed The Resistance Force (TRF) was responsible for the Pahalgam attack, providing further justification for the targeted strikes. Dismissing Pakistan’s claims of civilian casualties, Misri presented photographic evidence depicting funerals of terrorists killed in the airstrikes, noting the presence of individuals in Pakistani army uniforms and coffins draped in Pakistani flags. He pointedly questioned whether providing state funerals for terrorists was standard practice in Pakistan.
The Foreign Secretary also addressed Pakistan’s attempts to deny its role in harboring terrorist groups, reiterating Pakistan’s well-documented reputation as a global epicenter of terrorism. He cited statements by Pakistan’s Defence Minister and former Foreign Minister acknowledging ties to terrorist organizations as evidence of Pakistan’s complicity. Misri firmly rejected Pakistan’s demand for a joint investigation into the Pahalgam attack, citing the failures of previous joint probes into the 2008 Mumbai and 2016 Pathankot attacks. He asserted that Pakistan’s track record demonstrates a lack of commitment to genuine investigations.
Responding to Pakistan’s accusations that India targeted religious sites, Misri vehemently denied the claims, emphasizing that the strikes were directed solely at terrorist infrastructure and facilities. He further accused Pakistan of cynically exploiting religious sites for radicalizing and indoctrinating terrorists. In a stark contrast, Misri highlighted Pakistan’s own targeting of religious sites, citing a recent attack on a gurdwara in Jammu and Kashmir that killed and injured members of the Sikh community. He condemned Pakistan’s actions, which have resulted in the deaths of 16 civilians and injuries to 59 others.
Misri linked the Pahalgam attack, where victims were reportedly profiled based on their religion, to a recent speech by the Pakistan Army chief that contained communal overtones. He suggested a possible connection between these events, warning that such nefarious designs would not be allowed to succeed in India. The Foreign Secretary stressed that India remained vigilant against any attempts to exploit religious tensions and incite violence.
Finally, Misri addressed the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), noting India’s decades-long adherence to the agreement while highlighting Pakistan’s consistent obstruction of India’s legitimate rights under the treaty. He pointed out that Pakistan has repeatedly blocked and challenged India’s water projects and failed to respond to India’s requests for renegotiation. Misri observed that the IWT was concluded in a spirit of goodwill and friendship, implying that the treaty’s efficacy has been compromised by Pakistan’s actions, effectively putting it in abeyance. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to resolving water-sharing issues through dialogue but emphasized the need for Pakistan to reciprocate with good faith and respect for the treaty’s provisions.