In a significant turn of events, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has for the first time officially confirmed that India conducted missile attacks on Pakistani soil, specifically stating that the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi was attacked between the night of May 9 and May 10.
Sharif disclosed this in an address at the "Youm-e-Tashakur" (Thanksgiving Day) ceremony—a grand ceremony in Islamabad commemorating what Pakistan calls the victory of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq, a campaign known to be a major countermoves against India's action.
Addressing the gathering at "The Monument," a high-profile venue in the capital, Sharif explained the sequence of events that resulted in Pakistan's military action. In describing the sequence of events, he effectively validated India's claim of attacking the Nur Khan airbase.
"On May 9 and 10 night, around 2:30 a.m., the Army Chief phoned me on a secure line to tell me that India had fired ballistic missiles at us. One of these had hit the Nur Khan airbase, and others had hit elsewhere," Sharif said.
He further added that Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, had requested sanction for a counterattack. The green signal prompted a series of Pakistani retaliations in the form of drone and missile operations, which India detected and neutralized precisely and effectively.
In his address, Prime Minister Sharif also reiterated Pakistan's determination for dialogue and expressed appreciation to world allies for promoting peace in the region.
I am very thankful to all these friendly nations, who have been extremely supportive in advocating peace, ceasefire in this region of the world. And advocating all points and arguments for de-escalation," he noted.
Some of the nations recognized for their diplomatic efforts included Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, China, the United Kingdom, among others. Still, Sharif saved his greatest gratitude for then-President Donald Trump of the U.S.
But most of all, I would like to refer and thank President Trump for his very courageous leadership, and his vision that peace must be restored in South Asia sooner than later. And in consequence, his trailblazing and strategic leadership did the trick and prevented a very deadly impending war in this region," Sharif stated.
