"The attack on Pahalgam on April 22 was the first escalation by Pakistan, in response to which the Indian Armed Forces has retaliated accordingly," said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

The Pahalgam attack on April 22 led to the deaths of 26 civilians, igniting diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. India responded with strict measures and launched Operation Sindoor on May 7,

The foreign secretary described Pakistan’s allegation that India had targeted the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project as an 'absolute and complete fabrication and a blatant lie'