During a recent television interview, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar admitted that Pakistan was forced to seek a ceasefire from India after India targeted two of its airbases. The strikes, part of Operation Sindoor, hit the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi and the Shorkot Air Base in Punjab, according to Dar.
In addition to reaching out to India, Pakistan also sought assistance from the United States and Saudi Arabia, whose officials subsequently contacted Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. This outreach illustrates the considerable pressure on Pakistan’s leadership following India’s response to the terror attack in Pahalgam. The Nur Khan Air Base, a key strategic asset near Islamabad and Rawalpindi, was significantly impacted by the Indian strikes, as evidenced by videos shared on social media. Pakistan’s leadership and media have slowly begun to recognize the extent of the damage.
India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The operation focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. India has made it clear that the operation is ongoing and that Pakistan must adapt to a new reality regarding counter-terrorism.