New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly acknowledged that Indian missile strikes under Operation Sindoor struck multiple locations inside Pakistan before his military could launch a planned counterattack. Speaking during a visit to Azerbaijan, Mr. Sharif stated that Pakistan’s armed forces were prepared to respond at 4:30 a.m. on the morning of May 10, following Fajr prayers, but India acted first.
“On the night of May 9-10, we had decided to respond in a measured manner to India’s aggression. Our forces were fully ready to act at 4:30 a.m. But before that hour arrived, India launched BrahMos missile strikes on several locations, including Rawalpindi airport,” said Mr. Sharif.
These strikes were part of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory campaign against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
This isn’t the first time the Pakistani Prime Minister has admitted the extent of damage caused by the Indian strikes. Earlier this month, during a speech in Islamabad, Mr. Sharif recounted a late-night call from Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir around 2:30 a.m., informing him that Indian ballistic missiles had hit Nur Khan Airbase and other strategic targets inside the country.
According to Indian government sources, the strikes eliminated around 100 militants linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The attacks targeted nine terrorist facilities—four in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sarjal, and Mehmoona Joya) and five in PoK (Sawai Nala, Syedna Bilal, Gulpur, Barnala, and Abbas).
Pakistan responded by deploying drones to attack civilian areas in India, prompting another round of Indian strikes targeting military installations. These included radar systems, command centers, and ammunition depots in areas like Rafiqui, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Sialkot.
The escalating confrontation prompted both countries to agree on May 10 to an immediate cessation of hostilities across land, air, and sea. However, Pakistan reportedly violated the ceasefire within hours. Despite this, India later confirmed that both sides would maintain the ceasefire indefinitely.
Amid these developments, Prime Minister Sharif recently said Pakistan was ready to resume dialogue with India to resolve longstanding issues, including Kashmir, water-sharing, and trade. However, New Delhi swiftly rejected the proposal, reiterating its position that meaningful talks cannot take place unless Pakistan ends cross-border terrorism.
“We would like to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go together,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs. He emphasized that any future engagement must be bilateral and contingent upon Pakistan taking credible action, including handing over wanted terrorists to India.
Jaiswal also asserted that discussions on Jammu and Kashmir can only proceed once Pakistan vacates PoK. Additionally, he noted that the Indus Water Treaty would remain suspended until Pakistan irreversibly ceases its support for terrorism.
India’s firm response reflects its hardened stance post-Operation Sindoor, making it clear that counter-terrorism remains a precondition for any diplomatic thaw between the two neighbors.
