India military committed to 'non-escalation, only if Pakistan reciprocates'

Indian Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh has stated that India’s military remains committed to de-escalation only if Pakistan reciprocates—as soaring tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours push them to the brink of all-out war.

Singh spoke at a press conference on Saturday alongside Indian Army's Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri after Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes on Indian targets.

“Along the Line of Control, Pakistan has attempted multiple air intrusions using drones and has conducted shelling with heavy calibre artillery guns... heavy exchanges of artillery, mortars, and small arms fire have continued in the Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor sectors...  Pakistani military movements have been observed in forward areas, indicating offensive intent to further escalate the situation... The Indian Armed Forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation, provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistan military.”

Colonel Qureshi admitted that Pakistan's retaliatory had damaged equipment and injured personnel at five Indian airbases — Udhampur, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhuj and Bathinda — after targeting “more than 26 places.”

Meanwhile, the United States has stepped up diplomatic efforts, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio holding calls with Pakistan’s army chief Gen Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The Group of Seven (G7) nations have also urged India and Pakistan to immediately de-escalate rising military tensions and engage in direct dialogue.

Brink of war

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated sharply following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 people dead. India blamed Pakistan-based elements for the attack without presenting evidence. Islamabad categorically rejected the accusations.

In response, India closed the Wagah land border, revoked Pakistani visas, and announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23.

Pakistan labelled any disruption to the treaty as an “act of war” and subsequently sealed the Wagah crossing on its side.

The situation further deteriorated on May 6 and 7, with explosions reported in several Pakistani cities including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Muridke, and Bahawalpur.

Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed that Indian airstrikes had targeted multiple locations. Pakistan responded with air and ground operations under a new military campaign named Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos.

Within the first hour of retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets, including four Rafale aircraft. Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that Pakistan had the capability to down more but exercised restraint. Indian media provided limited coverage, with one report by The Hindu later retracted.

International observers, including analysts on CNN, noted the downing of Rafale jets has challenged India’s narrative of regional air superiority.

A senior French intelligence official also confirmed the loss of one Rafale aircraft to CNN—the first combat loss for the jet.

In addition, Pakistan’s armed forces reported intercepting and neutralising 77 Israeli-made Harop drones allegedly launched by India.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the drones were brought down using a mix of electronic warfare and conventional air defence systems.

ISPR described the drone activity as a “desperate and panicked response” to Pakistan’s defence strikes.

Security sources confirmed that Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos is targeting bases identified as launch points for attacks on civilians and mosques.

Pakistan also launched its Al-Fatah missile as part of the operation, in honour of children killed during recent Indian attacks.