Pakistan PM Confirms Indian Missiles Hit Nur Khan Airbase During 'Op Sindoor'
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly admitted that Indian missiles struck multiple locations inside Pakistan, including the Nur Khan Airbase near Islamabad, during "Operation Sindoor" on May 10. Sharif revealed he was informed by Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, in a 2:30 AM phone call. This admission confirms the Indian operation's impact deep within Pakistani territory, marking a significant moment in the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Unpacked:
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, where militants killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, which Pakistan denied. The operation aimed to target militant groups allegedly responsible for the attack.
Pakistan launched a retaliatory operation called Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos on May 10, 2025, targeting several Indian military bases. Pakistan claimed its strikes hit military targets, while India asserted that civilian areas, including religious sites, were targeted. Both sides accused each other of ceasefire violations.
Operation Sindoor marked a significant escalation, with India signaling it would respond militarily to cross-border terrorism and no longer be deterred by nuclear threats. The strikes reset redlines and increased the cost for Pakistan in supporting militancy, but did not permanently resolve underlying tensions.
A ceasefire was agreed upon after a hotline communication between the two countries' military leaders on May 10, effective later that day. Talks were set for May 12, but both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement, indicating lingering mistrust and unresolved issues.