'Will respond very firmly...': India's strong message for Pakistan amid speculations of military attacks

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday made it clear that while India does not seek escalation, however, any military aggression will be met with a strong and decisive response. His remarks come in the wake of heightened tensions following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

“It is not our intention to escalate the situation, but if there are military attacks on us, we will respond very firmly,” Jaishankar stated, emphasising that India’s retaliatory action under Operation Sindoor was “targeted and measured.”

Launched on Wednesday morning, Operation Sindoor saw the Indian Armed Forces strike multiple terror hideouts deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh confirmed that nine terrorist camps were hit and destroyed. She stressed that the locations were carefully chosen to avoid civilian casualties or damage to infrastructure.


Also Read: Scalp, HAMMER missiles & Kamikaze drones: How India used precision weapons to punish Pakistan under Operation Sindoor

“Operation Sindoor was executed to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families. The targets were selected precisely to avoid any harm to civilians,” Wing Commander Singh said during a media briefing.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi also presented footage of the strikes, including videos showing destruction at terror hubs such as Muridke — a location infamously linked to 26/11 attackers David Headley and Ajmal Kasab. Other sites hit in the operation include Sarjal camp in Sialkot, Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and Mehmoona Joya camp, also in Sialkot.

Also Read: How India’s Operation Sindoor flattened a terror hotbed in Bahawalpur—Jaish-e-Mohammed's headquarter in Pakistan

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underscored the brutal nature of the Pahalgam attack, describing it as a calculated act aimed at disrupting the fragile return of peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The attackers used extreme barbarity—most victims were executed with headshots at close range, in front of their families. The killings were designed to send a message and deliberately traumatise the survivors,” Misri said.

The government continues to monitor the situation and has reiterated its commitment to protecting national security while upholding peace and civilian safety.