‘We Were Ready To Act After Prayers, But India Launched Brahmos’, says Pakistan PM

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif admitted that Indian BrahMos missile strikes preempted a planned Pakistani counterattack on the night of May 9 and 10. Speaking during his Azerbaijan visit, Sharif said the Pakistani armed forces were ready to strike India at 4:30 am after Fajr prayers. However, India launched its missiles before that time, hitting multiple Pakistani provinces.

“On the night of May 9-10, we decided to respond in a measured fashion to Indian aggression. Our armed forces were prepared to act at 4.30 in the morning after Fajr prayers to teach a lesson. But before that hour even arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using BrahMos, and hit various provinces of Pakistan, including the airport in Rawalpindi,” Sharif stated.

Op Sindoor: India’s retaliation for the Pahalgam attack

The Indian missile attack was part of Operation Sindoor, a targeted military operation in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. The operation aimed at dismantling terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Sharif’s acknowledgment marks the second time he has admitted the extent of damage caused by Indian missile strikes. Earlier this month, during a ceremony in Islamabad, he recalled receiving a secure call at 2:30 am from the Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir.

“In the intervening night of May 9-10, around 2:30 AM, General Asif Munir called me through a secure phone and told me India has launched its ballistic missiles. One has landed at the Nur Khan airbase and some at other areas,” Sharif revealed.

Indian missiles hit terror camps across Pakistan and PoK

According to Indian government sources, the BrahMos missile strikes targeted nine terror camps — four in Pakistan (Bhawalpur, Muridke, Sarjal, and Mehmoona Joya) and five in PoK (Sawai Nala, Syedna Bilal, Gulpur, Barnala, and Abbas). These facilities reportedly housed over 100 terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Pakistan’s drone attack escalates tensions

Following the Indian missile strikes, Pakistan retaliated by attacking civilian areas in India using drones. In response, the Indian military struck back by targeting military assets deep inside Pakistani territory. These included radar systems, ammunition depots, and command centres located in Rafiqui, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Sialkot.

Ceasefire agreement and violation

Despite the high-stakes exchange, India and Pakistan agreed on May 10 to halt all military actions by land, air, and sea. However, Pakistan reportedly violated the ceasefire within hours. Later, Indian defence officials confirmed that both countries agreed to continue the ceasefire indefinitely.

Sharif expresses readiness for dialogue with India

Earlier this week, PM Sharif expressed a willingness to engage in talks with India to resolve long-standing issues including Kashmir, water-sharing, and trade. However, India reiterated that any dialogue is conditional upon Pakistan ceasing cross-border terrorism.

“We would like to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go together,” stated External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

He further clarified India’s position: “As far as our engagement with Pakistan is concerned, our stand has been clear. Any engagement has to be bilateral. They need to hand over to India, noted terrorists, whose records and list we submitted to them some years ago. Talks on J&K will be held only on the vacating of PoK and when Pakistan hands over the territory to us. As far as the Indus Water Treaty is concerned, it will remain in abeyance till the time Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support to cross-border terrorism.”