Amidst a sharp escalation in tensions along the India-Pakistan border, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) convened a high-level press briefing where senior officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, detailed a series of grave and provocative actions by Pakistan.

India has accused Pakistan of firing heavy calibre weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) and launching hundreds of armed drone intrusions from Leh to Sir Creek, targeting military installations, civilian buildings, and religious sites.

The MEA revealed that Pakistan kept its civilian airspace open during these attacks, allowing international flights to operate and allegedly using them as shields-thereby putting foreign passengers at risk-while India, in contrast, closed its airspace to civilian flights for safety. Calling Pakistan’s denials “farcical,” Indian officials dismissed claims about not targeting religious places as “lies” and condemned Islamabad for making outrageous claims, further intensifying the already volatile situation.

Highlights from the MEA Briefing

• Pakistan escalated hostilities by firing heavy calibre weapons along the Line of Control, targeting Indian positions and increasing the risk of a broader conflict.
• Attempted drone intrusions were reported at multiple locations, stretching from Leh in the north to Sir Creek in the south, with hundreds of drones launched in a coordinated offensive.
• Many of these drones were armed and specifically targeted Indian military infrastructure, posing a direct threat to national security.
• “Despite launching these attacks, Pakistan did not close its civilian airspace, allowing international flights to continue and using them as shields,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
• During the military standoff, Pakistan permitted international civilian flights to operate through its airspace, a move Indian officials described as reckless and dangerous.
• “Pakistan deliberately put foreign international flights at risk last night by using civilian airlines as a cover for its military operations,” Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stated.
• In stark contrast, Indian authorities cleared their own airspace of civilian flights, suspending operations at over 25 airports to ensure the safety of non-combatants.
• The MEA described Pakistan’s official denials as “farcical,” with a senior spokesperson adding, “Such denials are a clear example of duplicity and an attempt to mislead the world.”
• Indian officials also called out Pakistan’s claims that religious places were not targeted, labelling these assertions as “lies.”
• The MEA concluded by condemning Pakistan for making “outrageous claims” and attempting to shift blame for the escalation.

Escalation: Weapons, Drones, and Airspace Tactics

The recent surge in hostilities began with Pakistan’s use of heavy calibre weapons along the LoC, which targeted Indian military positions and heightened the risk of a wider conflict. Simultaneously, Pakistan launched a massive drone offensive, with hundreds of drones-many armed-attempting to breach Indian defences from Leh to Sir Creek. Indian air defence systems responded swiftly, intercepting and neutralising a significant number of these drones.

What has caused particular alarm is Pakistan’s decision to keep its civilian airspace open during these attacks. International flights continued to traverse Pakistani airspace, a move that Indian officials say was a deliberate tactic to use civilian aircraft as shields and deter Indian retaliation.

“By keeping their airspace open, Pakistan knowingly put innocent international passengers in harm’s way,” said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. In contrast, India immediately closed its own airspace to all non-military flights, rerouting or suspending operations at numerous airports to protect civilian lives.

Official Denials, Religious Sites, and Outrageous Claims

The MEA has strongly criticised Pakistan’s official response, describing their denials of aggressive intent as “farcical” and a clear example of duplicity. “Pakistan’s statements are not just misleading, they are an attempt to rewrite the facts on the ground,” said an MEA spokesperson.

Indian officials have also rejected Pakistan’s claims that it did not target religious places, calling such assertions “lies.” According to the MEA, Pakistan’s narrative has been filled with outrageous and misleading claims, aimed at deflecting attention from its own provocative actions and the risks it posed to international civil aviation.

These developments come in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which involved missile and drone strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The situation has led to increased military alertness on both sides, heightened security measures in border regions, and growing concern among the international community about the safety of civilians and the stability of the region.