India had 'credible intel' to strike targets in Pakistan; exercised its 'right to neutralise terrorists': Govt

India’s targeted airstrikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were based on “credible intelligence” of impending attacks and aimed at neutralising terror infrastructure, the government said on Wednesday, as it shared key details of ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India had “exercised its right to respond” after actionable inputs indicated that more cross-border attacks were being planned.

“Our intelligence indicated that further attacks against India are impending… India exercised its right to respond to deter such more cross-border terrorism,” Misri said at a press briefing, adding that the action was “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible.”


The government also reiterated Pakistan’s direct links with the attack in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indian civilians and one Nepali citizen were killed by terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Also read: PM Modi lauds security forces' action as India hits at Pakistan with Operation Sindoor

'Pakistan's links to terrorists exposed'

“This is the most serious incident since the 2008 Mumbai attacks considering the scale and the fact that civilians were attacked,” Misri said.

He noted that the Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility for the attack, is a Lashkar front, and Pakistan had tried to suppress this fact by pressuring for the TRF reference to be removed from official communication.

“Pahalgam terrorist attack has exposed the links of Pakistan with terrorists,” Misri said, adding that rogue elements in Pakistan continue to enjoy safe haven.

Citing the case of 26/11 handler Sajid Mir, Misri said: “He was declared dead and only after international pressure was he brought ‘back to life’ and arrested. This is the most glaring example of Pakistan’s support for terror.”

Pahalgam attack: 'Justice delivered', says Indian Army

Providing a breakdown of the strikes, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi said the operation was executed to deliver justice to the victims of Pahalgam.

“Nine terrorist camps were targeted and destroyed… The locations were selected to avoid any civilian casualties,” she said, presenting footage of the attacks at key terror hubs including Muridke and Bahawalpur.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added that the strikes were “precisely executed” to avoid civilian infrastructure.

The Indian Air Force targeted four terror sites inside Pakistan, while five camps in PoK were hit. According to the Defence Ministry, these targets were linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Also read: Govt calls all-party meeting on May 8 after Operation Sindoor strikes on Pakistan terror camps

The operation was focused and non-escalatory. It steered clear of Pakistani military installations, the Ministry said in a statement.

"Focused strikes were carried out on nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, targeting the roots of cross-border terror planning. Importantly, no Pakistani military facilities were hit, reflecting India’s calibrated and non-escalatory approach. This operation underscores India’s resolve to hold perpetrators accountable while avoiding unnecessary provocation," the Defence Ministry said on X.

(With inputs from ToI)