In a major diplomatic reversal, Pakistan's government has officially acknowledged that Indian anti-terror air strikes successfully targeted and caused damage to key military installations, including the sensitive Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi. This admission from Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directly contradicts Islamabad's earlier stance of complete denial regarding the cross-border operation conducted by India in May 2025.
Details of the Admission and the Strikes
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that India launched multiple drones in the operation. One of these drones managed to strike a military installation, resulting in material damage and injuries to personnel. Crucially, Dar confirmed that the strikes on the air base occurred in the early hours of May 10, 2025.
He revealed that Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership convened for an emergency meeting on May 9 to authorise decisions on how to respond to the Indian action. This timeline indicates a high level of alert and planning on both sides in the lead-up to the operation.
A Shift from Denial to Acknowledgement
This public concession marks a significant shift. For months following the strikes, Pakistani authorities had dismissed Indian claims and international reports based on satellite imagery that showed clear signs of damage at several air bases. The imagery had provided evidence that was difficult to publicly refute, leading to this eventual acknowledgment.
The period surrounding the strikes was marked by intense cross-border shelling, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. The skirmishes continued until Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) sought a ceasefire. India accepted this proposal, bringing the active hostilities to a halt on May 10, the same day as the air base strikes.
Implications and Regional Context
This admission is seen as a significant moment in the fraught relationship between India and Pakistan. It validates India's long-standing position on the precision and effectiveness of its counter-terrorism operations. The targeting of the Nur Khan Air Base, a critical facility in Rawalpindi, underscores the operational reach claimed by Indian forces.
The episode, referred to in some quarters as 'Operation Sindoor Strikes', highlights the ongoing volatility at the border and the persistent threat of terrorism that India states it aims to combat through such actions. Pakistan's decision to finally acknowledge the damage, likely under the weight of evidence, adds a new layer of transparency to an incident that had been shrouded in official denial.
