India today claimed its armed forces struck and "successfully destroyed" nine "terrorist camps" in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in response to a deadly attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, two weeks ago.

At a joint press briefing at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, "Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian armed forces to deliver justice to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack and their families. Nine terrorist camps were targeted and successfully destroyed."

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, also present at the briefing, clarified, "No military installation was targeted in Pakistan."

"The targets were chosen based on credible intelligence and their involvement in cross-border terrorism," she added.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India's response was "non-escalatory and measured."

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"India exercised its right to respond, preempt as well as deter more cross-border attacks such as the one in Pahalgam," adding that the operation was focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure and disabling militants likely to be sent across the border.

According to a defence ministry statement released earlier at 1:44am local time, Indian forces launched 'Operation Sindoor', targeting "terrorist infrastructure" from which attacks on India were planned and directed.

"Altogether, nine (9) sites have been targeted… These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable."

Wing Commander Singh said, "Over the last three decades, Pakistan has systematically built terror infrastructure. It is a complex web of recruitment and indoctrination centres, training areas for initial and refresher courses and launchpads for handlers."

Indian forces reportedly struck key targets including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.

Citing a recent United Nations Security Council statement on the Pahalgam attack, Misri stressed the need to "hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable."

He criticised Pakistan's failure to take concrete action, saying, "Despite a fortnight having passed since the attack, there has been no demonstrable step from Pakistan to take action against the terrorist infrastructure on its territory or territory under its control. Instead all it has indulged in is denial and allegations."

"These actions were measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible. It focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists likely to be sent across to India," he added.

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India-Pakistan conflict

The joint media briefing by Foreign Secretary Misri, Col Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh came after Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.

Indian authorities have also ordered the closure of educational institutions in three border districts of the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure.

Kashmir University has postponed all examinations scheduled for the day, a university spokesperson said