Top 5 news of the day:'Now choice is with Pakistan' says Foreign secy Vikram Misri on de-escalation; How India used S-400 defence system, and more

Today’s top stories cover major developments in defence, politics and international relations after Operation Sindoor day 2.India dismissed the Pakistan government's claims that civilians were targeted during 'Operation Sindoor', which armed forces carried out to destroy the terrorist camps operating in Pakistan and the Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK)."As far as we are concerned, the individuals eliminated at these facilities were terrorists.Giving terrorists state funerals, maybe a practice in Pakistan," said foreign secretary Vikram Misri during a press briefing.On the intervening night of May 7 and 8, India used the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra defence missile systems to take down Pakistani drones and missiles fired towards 15 Indian cities, thwarting Islamabad's attempt to damage military installations.Here are the top five stories of the day:'Now choice is with Pakistan': Foreign secy Vikram Misri on de-escalationThe choice regarding de-escalation rests with Pakistan, as they initiated the escalation through the Pahalgam terror attack, to which India responded via Operation Sindoor, stated foreign secretary Vikram Misri during a media briefing, amidst growing tensions between both nations.Misri noted that the escalation originated from Pakistan's side with the April 22 Pahalgam attack, resulting in 26 casualties, predominantly tourists. Follow live updatesMEA-security forces joint briefing key pointsIn a special joint briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and security forces, India once again reiterated that the Pahalgam terror attack was the original escalation point of the recent tension between India and Pakistan. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri also mentioned that Pakistan had opposed the mention of the terror organisation The Resistance Force (TRF) in the United Nations Security Council statement regarding the Pahalgam terror attack. Read full storyOperation Sindoor: How India used S-400 Sudarshan Chakra defence systemIndian Air Force S-400 Sudarshan Chakra air defence missile systems were fired last night against targets moving towards India.The targets were successfully neutralised in the operation, multiple domain experts told news agency ANI.India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems successfully neutralised multiple attempted attacks, preventing any damage to Indian assets. Officials confirmed that debris from Pakistani drones and missiles was recovered at several locations, serving as concrete evidence of the assault. Read full story'Precision with which Operation Sindoor was executed is unimaginable': Rajnath SinghDefence minister Rajnath Singh praised the Indian armed forces for their successful execution of 'Operation Sindoor,' in which nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir were destroyed with what he called "unimaginable" precision. Read full storyPahalgam payback continues: Operation Sindoor Day 2 keeps Pakistan on edgeDefence minister Rajnath Singh told leaders at all-party meeting that Operation Sindoor is "still ongoing". News agency PTI sources said the defence minister informed the leaders that India will hit back if Pakistan attacks in the wake of India's targeted strike. Read full story