India Denies Missile strikes on Afghanistan, Calls for Restraint as Tensions Rise with Pakistan

India's Foreign Secretary has firmly denied reports of Indian missiles hitting targets in Afghanistan over the past few days, saying that such reports were completely baseless. This follows a time of increased military face-off with Pakistan, with both countries launching missile and drone attacks and accusing each other of the escalation.

Indian military leaders reaffirmed their pledge to not further escalate, insisting that India's actions are still measured and directed only against terror infrastructure, not civilian or unrelated military targets. The military leadership insisted that India will continue to be non-escalatory as long as Pakistan reciprocates. The Indian side, however, cautioned that any further provocations or attacks from Pakistan would elicit a proportionate response.

During the most recent spate of violence, India admitted to incurring minimal damage to hardware and personnel at some military installations due to Pakistani missile and drone strikes. Indian air defenses allegedly deflected most incoming threats, reducing damage to strategic assets. In contrast, Pakistan reportedly stepped up deployments along the border, indicating an ongoing state of high alert.

Indian officials have also pointed out that their recent military action, such as Operation Sindoor, were only directed against eliminating terror camps and launch pads for cross-border strikes, especially after the deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Indian officials have rebuffed Pakistani assertions of attacks on civilian targets as fictitious and cautioned that any move to use such claims as a pretext for further escalation would be faced with repercussions.

The situation is strained, with both countries' armies in high alert and diplomatic sources keeping a close watch on events unfolding. India has urged Pakistan to reciprocate the restraint and not take steps that would draw the region nearer to a broader conflict. 

Sources: Reuters, NDTV, India Today, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of External Affairs