Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has publicly acknowledged India’s precision strikes on key Pakistani airbases as part of Operation Sindoor, marking the first official video statement from him on the recent four-day military escalation. Speaking at a ceremony at the Pakistan Monument on May 16, Sharif revealed he was informed about the strikes in the early hours of May 10.
Addressing a special ‘Youm-e-Tashakur’ event at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, Sharif is purportedly heard saying, “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 can tell you that by swearing on the God that there was confidence, self-confidence and patriotism in the General’s voice. It was a moment of grave concern.”
Sharing the video on the social media platform X, BJP National IT Department head Amit Malviya described the footage as a validation of the bold and effective execution of Operation Sindoor.
On May 10, Pakistan claimed that three of its air bases were targeted by Indian missiles and drone strikes. In a hastily convened press conference held around 4 a.m. in Islamabad, Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry stated that the Indian attacks had struck the Nur Khan Airbase (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid Airbase (Chakwal), and Rafiqui Airbase (Shorkot, Jhang district), all operated by the Pakistan Air Force.
Earlier, Pakistan had claimed that its JF-17 fighter jets destroyed India’s S-400 air defence system at the Adampur Airbase in Punjab. However, PM Narendra Modi’s subsequent visit to the base dealt a significant blow to what Indian officials called a disinformation campaign by Pakistan.
Pakistan also alleged that India had targeted civilian areas. This claim was contradicted by Sindh province’s Chief Minister, who confirmed that the Indian strike hit the Bholari Airbase, killing six Pakistani Air Force personnel – corroborating India’s assertion that its strikes were confined to military targets.
India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan-based terror groups for the attack and pledged swift retaliation.
In the days that followed, Pakistan launched retaliatory drone and missile strikes on May 8, 9, and 10, targeting Indian military installations. India responded with measured but decisive force, striking multiple Pakistani military sites.
The four-day escalation concluded with both sides reaching a mutual understanding on May 10 to de-escalate hostilities and end the cross-border military confrontation.
