New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) India today debunked Pakistani claims of attacking various Indian military installations as “heavy on lies, misinformation and propaganda”, even as it said that Pakistan has been moving its troops to forward areas, in preparation for war, and added that Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Defence Ministry officials, Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, briefed the media on the latest developments.

“Pakistan has been observed to be moving their troops to forward areas, indicating offensive intent to further escalate the situation,” said the defence officials.

“Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness. All hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to appropriately.

“Indian armed forces reiterate their commitment to non-escalation provided it is reciprocated by the Pakistani military,” the officials said.

FS Misri, giving an update, said the Pakistan military continued their provocations.

“Pakistani claims about activities that they have undertaken continue to be heavy on lies, misinformation and propaganda.

“And on top of that this is peddled by the Pakistani state agencies.

“The claims that they have made about attacking and destroying various military facilities are completely false,” he said.

The claim about the air force station in Sirsa being destroyed, completely false. The claim about the IAF station in Suratgarh being destroyed, completely false. Claim that the S400 base in Adampur being destroyed, completely false.

“Claims have been made of large sections of critical Indian infrastructure, power systems, cyber systems etc being attacked and destroyed, completely false.

“I would urge all of you not to be misled by this tissue of lies that is being peddled by the Pakistani state for obvious purposes,” the FS added.

He said that Pakistan continues with its “execrable and wanton campaign” of targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure especially in the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

He said that Pakistan has also been consistently attempting to sow discord between communities in India

“There has been a particular focus in its targeting of civilian infra and the population in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

Earlier this morning, Pakistan shelled the town of Rajouri killing the additional district development commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa, adding to the civilian casualties and to the damage in that state.

India also observed overnight, damage to property and injuries to civilians in Ferozepur, and Jalandhar among other places.

“Pakistani officials also continue to make ludicrous claims of India firing missiles toward Sree Amritsar Sahib. These lame attempts to divide India are doomed to failure,” the FS said

Commenting on the Pakistani army spokesperson “taking great joy” in the fact that the Indian public should criticise the Indian government with regard to various issues, he said:

“It may be a surprise to Pakistan to see citizens criticising their own government, that is the hallmark of an open and functioning democracy,” the FS added.

“Pakistan’s unfamiliarity with that should not be surprising,” he said in a dig.

“There is this ludicrous claim that Indian missiles have hit Afghanistan, which is a totally frivolous allegation. And I want to point out that Afghan people don’t need to be reminded that which country it is that has on multiple occasions in the last one and half years targeted civilian population and civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan,” he said.

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