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In a rare and significant admission, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has acknowledged that Indian ballistic missiles targeted the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and other strategic sites during Operation Sindoor. The revelation came during a ‘Youm-e-Tashakur’ event held at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, where Sharif disclosed that Army Chief General Asim Munir personally informed him about the strike at 2:30 AM on the night of May 9-10.
Sharif, addressing the gathering, stated, “On the intervening night of May 9-10 around 2:30 AM, Army Chief Asim Munir called me over a secure line, informing me that Hindustani ballistic missiles had hit Nur Khan Airbase and other areas. I swear by God that there was confidence, self-assurance, and patriotism in the General’s voice.”
This disclosure stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s usual stance of denial when it comes to Indian military actions. A video capturing Sharif’s statement has since gone viral on social media, further intensifying the situation.
Sharif also emphasized the role of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in responding to the attack. “Our Air Force used indigenous technology to protect our country, deploying advanced systems and technology on Chinese jets,” he added, underscoring Pakistan’s strategic alliances and military preparedness.
Impact of Operation Sindoor on Pakistani Airbases
On May 10, Pakistan had initially claimed that three of its airbases were targeted by Indian missiles and drones, including the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, PAF Base Mushaf in Sargodha, and PAF Base Rafiqui in Shorkot, Jhang district. In a hurriedly convened press conference at 4 AM, Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry addressed the media, acknowledging the extent of the strikes but refraining from providing detailed assessments.
Further evidence emerged when satellite images released by Maxar Technologies revealed substantial damage to key Pakistani airbases. Satellite images captured on April 25 and May 10 displayed significant damage to four airbase facilities, including Nur Khan Airbase, PAF Base Mushaf, Bholari Airbase, and PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad. The images showed evident signs of targeted strikes, corroborating Sharif’s statements regarding the severity of the attack.
Political Reactions and Backlash
Sharif’s candid admission has sparked widespread reactions in both India and Pakistan. Indian political leaders, particularly those from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seized the opportunity to underscore the success of Operation Sindoor.
Amit Malviya, BJP IT cell head, took to social media platform X to comment on the incident. “Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif himself admits that General Asim Munir called him at 2:30 AM to inform him that India had bombed Nur Khan Airbase and several other locations. Let that sink in — the Prime Minister was woken up in the middle of the night with news of strikes deep inside Pakistan. This speaks volumes about the scale, precision, and boldness of #OperationSindoor,” Malviya posted.
Similarly, Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized Sharif’s apparent lack of preparedness. “To be as clueless as this man when terror airbases under his control are being destroyed by India. Deeply satisfying,” she tweeted.
Strategic Implications and Future Outlook
Shehbaz Sharif’s statement has further exposed the vulnerabilities within Pakistan’s military infrastructure, particularly in the context of strategic airbases. The admission of targeted strikes deep within Pakistani territory not only signifies India’s growing military capabilities but also raises questions about Pakistan’s preparedness to handle similar threats in the future.
Moreover, the Prime Minister’s open admission of the strike marks a departure from Pakistan’s long-standing practice of denying or downplaying Indian military actions. Analysts suggest that this may signal a shift in Pakistan’s approach to addressing escalating tensions with India, especially as the international community closely monitors the evolving conflict.
The timing of the statement also coincides with heightened tensions between the two nations, particularly following the conclusion of Operation Sindoor. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, regional stability remains precarious, with both nations keenly assessing their strategic postures.
For now, the situation remains tense, and the ramifications of the missile strikes and subsequent admissions will likely shape India-Pakistan relations in the coming months.
