PM Modi chairs high-level meeting as India-Pakistan military conflict escalates

The Prime Minister held a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Armed Forces chiefs and senior officials.

The meeting was held after the country's Armed Forces struck Pakistan's four airbases in retaliation against attacks on 26 Indian locations.

Pak military moving into forward areas, Indian Armed Forces ready: Govt

The Indian government on Saturday said the country's Armed Forces are "in a high state of operational readiness" as the Pakistani troops are observed to be moving into the forward areas indicating a possible escalation bid by the hostile neighbour.

A joint press briefing by the Defence sector and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told the media that Pakistan military has been targeting "civilian areas and military infrastructure" as the two countries were engaged in an overnight conflict that massively escalated after India avenged the Pahalgam terror attack with Operation Sindoor.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said in the briefing, "Pakistan has attempted multiple intrusions using drones and conducted shelling... targeting civilian infrastructures and killing some civilians. Heavy exchange of artillery mortars and small arm fire in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Akhnoor sectors continued.

"The Indian Army has responded effectively and proportionately, causing extensive damage to the Pakistan Army. Pak military has been observed to be moving their troops into forward areas indicating offensive intent to further escalate the situation. Indian Armed Forces remain in a high state of operational readiness."

"All hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded appropriately. Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military," she added.

The Wing Commander said Pakistan resorted to "air intrusions using drones and firing" along the Line of Control and "several harassment attacks were also attempted" in more than 26 locations.

"Indian Armed Forces successfully neutralised these threats and the majority of the vectors. However, limited damage was sustained to equipment and personnel at Indian Air Force stations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur and Bhuj," she said.

In response to "irresponsible" attacks by the Pakistan Army, the Indian Armed Forces, as Wing Commander Singh said, "carried out precision attacks only on identified military targets" including technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas.

In an unfortunate incident, a senior Jammu and Kashmir official was killed in a Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Saturday, UT's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said.

The deceased Indian official was identified as Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thappa.

In a retaliation against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor hitting nine terrorist bases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The military conflict escalated after Pakistan targeted civilians across the borders without any provocation to be aptly countered by the Indian military.