New Delhi: In a rare admission, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly confirmed that Indian ballistic missiles struck Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and other strategic locations during Operation Sindoor. This is a complete departure from Pakistan’s typical stance of denial over Indian military action on its soil.
Addressing a ceremony titled ‘Youm-e-Tashakur’ at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, Sharif said that he was informed of the strikes by Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir at 2.30am on the intervening night of May 9-10. Speaking over a secure line, General Munir told him that “Hindustani ballistic missiles” had hit key military sites including the Nur Khan Airbase.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif himself admits that General Asim Munir called him at 2:30am to inform him that India had bombed Nur Khan Air Base 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… pic.twitter.com/b4QbsF7xJh
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) May 16, 2025
Attack on Pak’s airbases
“I can tell you by swearing on God that there was confidence, self-confidence, and patriotism in the General’s voice,” Sharif said during the event, the video of which has since gone viral on social media. He added that Pakistan’s Air Force responded using “domestically developed technology” and advanced equipment installed on Chinese fighter jets.
The strikes were part of Operation Sindoor, a coordinated military response launched on May 7 after the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. Indian Armed Forces targeted nine terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were reportedly killed during the strikes.
India destroys Pak’s air defence
India then attacked Pakistan’s air bases and air defence systems after Islamabad launched a barrage of drones and missiles in border areas. India’s counter strikes damaged critical Pakistani military infrastructure, including radar systems, communication centres, and airstrips at different airbases. Pakistani military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry had earlier confirmed in a press briefing that the Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui airbases were among those hit by missiles and drones.
Reacting to Sharif’s admission, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya highlighted the unprecedented nature of the statement. “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 on social media platform X.
