No Mosque Damaged in ‘Operation Sindoor’: Col Sofiya Qureshi
New Delhi, May 11: In a powerful message underscoring India’s commitment to secularism and precision military operations, senior officers of the Indian Armed Forces on Saturday clarified that no mosque was targeted or damaged during the recently concluded ‘Operation Sindoor’ against Pakistan-based terror camps.
Addressing a joint press conference shortly after the formal announcement of a ceasefire, representatives from the Army, Navy, and Air Force strongly refuted misinformation circulated by Pakistani officials, who had alleged attacks on religious sites.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated officer and practicing Muslim, directly addressed the allegations, stating, “I want to make it clear that no mosque was damaged during the operation. Our forces respect all places of worship.” Her statement not only dispelled the false narratives but also reinforced India’s pluralistic ethos.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh echoed these sentiments, affirming that the Indian military’s actions were guided strictly by its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while upholding constitutional values. “The armed forces hold the highest regard for all religious institutions. No place of worship was touched. Only confirmed terror infrastructure was neutralized,” she said.
Commodore Raghu Nair further emphasized that the operation was designed to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage, underlining India’s adherence to international laws and ethical warfare practices.
The clarification came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “full and immediate ceasefire” between India and Pakistan, following days of escalating tensions. The ceasefire took effect at 5:00 p.m. IST on Saturday, after both nations’ Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) agreed to halt all military action across land, air, and sea.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the development during a brief media statement, adding that instructions were issued across all commands to implement the ceasefire. The DGMOs of both countries are scheduled to speak again on May 12 to review the situation and maintain the peace agreement.
The Indian Defence Ministry’s swift response to the disinformation campaign serves not only to protect the country’s international image but also highlights the professionalism and integrity of its armed forces.
More Stories…
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates