India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) held its third official press briefing since the launch of Operation Sindoor, where top defence and diplomatic officials briefed the media on ongoing military and strategic developments amid escalating tensions with Pakistan.
Here are the key highlights from the May 9 briefing:
1. Pakistan’s Use of Turkish Drones and Airspace Violations
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army confirmed that:
- Pakistan launched over 300–400 drones on the night of May 7-8, targeting 36 Indian locations including military installations, ammunition dumps, and civilian areas.
- The drones, some of which were Turkish-origin Asisguard Songar models, were shot down using kinetic and non-kinetic methods.
- Forensic investigations of the drone wreckage are underway to confirm origin and intent. Initial assessments suggest the drones were deployed to test India’s air defence readiness and intelligence response.
2. Misuse of Civilian Airspace by Pakistan
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force strongly criticized Pakistan for:
- Not closing its civil airspace during its drone and missile offensive on May 7 at 8:30 PM.
- Continuing to operate commercial airliners over active military conflict zones, especially between Karachi and Lahore, even as India had cleared its own skies for safety.
- Singh stated that Pakistan was using civilian aircraft as “shields“, while presenting FlightRadar24 data that showed zero civil activity in Indian airspace but full air traffic across Pakistan during the escalation.
- “Despite provocation, the Indian Air Force exercised considerable restraint to avoid any harm to international civil carriers,” she said.
3. Kartarpur Corridor Services Suspended
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri officially announced that:
- Services through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended until further notice due to the prevailing security scenario.
- This sacred pilgrimage route, inaugurated in 2019, allowed visa-free access for Indian Sikhs to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
- Misri reaffirmed that the suspension was a precautionary measure and does not reflect a change in India’s long-term commitment to cultural and religious exchanges.
4. Pakistan Targeted Schools, Religious Sites
In a sharp condemnation, Vikram Misri revealed:
- A shell fired from Pakistan landed behind Christ School in Poonch, killing two students and injuring their parents.
- Staff and locals took refuge in underground shelters during the assault.
- He added that Pakistan deliberately shelled places of worship including gurdwaras, churches, and temples, calling it a “new low” in its aggressive posturing.
5. India’s Response and Global Outreach
- India launched precise retaliatory strikes on Pakistani air defence infrastructure, including a confirmed strike on a facility near Lahore.
- Misri confirmed that India has presented its position at the IMF meeting taking place the same day and continues to engage with global partners.
- He emphasized that India seeks de-escalation, but remains fully prepared to respond to any further provocation.
The briefing showcased India’s measured yet firm stance in response to Pakistan’s escalatory tactics, emphasizing restraint, preparedness, and global transparency. The use of foreign drones, endangerment of civil aviation, and targeting of schools underline the severity of the crisis. India, meanwhile, continues to engage the global community while keeping national security paramount.
