Air Marshal AK Bharti trashed social media rumours that the India Air Force had hit Pakistan's Kirana Hills, which reportedly has a nuclear facility
Air Marshal AK Bharti. Pic/PTI
In a press briefing on Monday, Air Marshal AK Bharti stated that the purpose of Operation Sindoor was to target terrorists, and not to engage with the Pakistan Military or Pakistani civilians, news agency ANI reported.
"Our fight is with the terrorists, our fight is not with the Pakistan Military or Pakistan civilians, so that is very clear. We are very clear in our targeting," he said.
Clearing the air on whether India had struck Kirana Hills, which reportedly houses a nuclear facility, the Air Marshal said, “Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation, we did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there." Rumours were making rounds on social media that India had hit Kirana Hills during its counter-offensive.
He also emphasised that the Indian Armed Forces showcased their effectiveness through precise strikes during Operation Sindoor.
"Our counter systems and trained air defence operators are fully capable, and our nation's indigenous capability has proven its effectiveness. It has been demonstrated that no matter what kind of technology emerges, we are prepared to counter it. There is no need for excessive words, you have seen with your own eyes the consequences we have delivered," stated Air Marshal Bharti.
Highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare, he said that future conflicts would differ drastically from previous engagements and stressed the importance of staying ahead of adversaries in an ever-changing battlefield.
"This was a different kind of warfare and is bound to happen. God forbid, but if we fight another war, that would be completely different from this one. It is a cat-and-mouse game, and we need to be ahead of the curve to beat the adversary," he said.
In the early hours of May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor on nine terror strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) in a retaliatory response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people – including one Nepali national – were killed.
Following India’s strikes – which killed over 100 terrorists – Pakistan resorted to shelling and drone attack in India, leading to civilian casualties.
India also responded to the attack, destroying several of Pakistan’s airbases and inflicting severe damage to its military installations.
On May 10, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart, following which the two sides agreed to halt all military actions, on land, at sea, and in the air from 5 pm.
However, hours after both countries agreed to stop all firing and military action, Pakistan violated the cessation of hostilities, with India's air defence intercepting Pakistani drones amid a blackout in Srinagar.
Red streaks were seen and explosions heard as India's air defence intercepted Pakistani drones amid a blackout in Udhampur. A blackout was also enforced in Pathankot and Ferozepur in Punjab and Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan.
In a special briefing that night, Misri said India takes "very serious note of these violations". India called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility.
(With ANI and PTI inputs)
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