International: In an unprecedented move that departs from Pakistan’s longstanding policy of denial, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly acknowledged that Indian ballistic missiles successfully targeted Nur Khan Airbase and other strategic sites on May 10.
The disclosure came during a public address at the Pakistan Monument on Friday, signaling a dramatic shift in Islamabad’s communication regarding cross-border military engagements.
Sharif revealed that he was alerted about the strike in the early hours of May 10 by Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir. “At around 2:30 am, General Syed Asim Munir called me on the secure line and informed me that India’s ballistic missiles have hit Nur Khan Airbase and other areas,” Sharif stated, as reported by Geo News.
The Prime Minister also praised the Pakistani Air Force’s response, highlighting the use of locally developed technologies and advanced Chinese fighter jets to manage the fallout from the strikes. “Our Air Force used homegrown technology to save our country and employed modern equipment integrated with Chinese aircraft,” he added.
The admission has sparked strong political reactions in India. BJP leader Amit Malviya cited the statement as irrefutable proof of the success of “Operation Sindoor,” an Indian military offensive launched on May 7. Malviya noted that the early morning call to Sharif reflects the scale and precision of India’s retaliatory mission.
Operation Sindoor was executed by Indian Armed Forces in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 civilians lost their lives. The operation reportedly targeted multiple terror infrastructure sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), resulting in the deaths of over 100 militants affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen—organizations designated as terrorist groups by India, the United States, and the United Nations.
Sharif’s confirmation marks a critical moment in South Asian military diplomacy, potentially setting the stage for a new chapter in the region’s complex security dynamics.
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