Pakistan PM Acknowledges Indian Strikes, Confirms Attacks on Five Sites Amid Escalating Tensions

NEW DELHI:
In a rare and significant admission, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday confirmed that India carried out targeted strikes on five locations within Pakistan, acknowledging the forceful execution of ‘Operation Sindoor’ by the Indian Armed Forces in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Sharif stated, “The cunning enemy has carried out cowardly attacks on five locations in Pakistan. Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this act of war imposed by India, and a forceful response is being given.” He added that the morale of the Pakistani nation remains high and affirmed unwavering support for the country’s armed forces.

The Prime Minister’s statement marks the first official Pakistani acknowledgment of India’s deep-strike operation, further confirmed by the Pakistani military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), which said missile strikes had occurred in Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Army publicly declared the success of Operation Sindoor, confirming that nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were hit in a calculated retaliatory move.

A press note from the Indian Army read,

“A little while ago, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK from where attacks against India were being orchestrated. Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory. No Pakistani military assets were targeted.”

The army clarified that the operation was carried out with utmost precision, carefully avoiding civilian areas and infrastructure. “Justice is Served. Jai Hind,” read a post from the Army’s official X account, echoing the sentiment of a nation still reeling from the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali tourist.

Sources in both New Delhi and Islamabad have indicated heightened military and diplomatic activity. While India emphasized its restraint and targeted approach, Pakistan termed the strike an “act of war,” suggesting a potential escalation in regional tensions.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, ISPR Director General, labelled the strike as a “cowardly missile attack,” and confirmed the locations targeted. He stopped short of detailing the extent of the damage but signalled that Pakistan was evaluating its response options.

The recent developments have put the region on high alert, with both countries reinforcing border deployments. International observers have urged restraint, fearing that continued hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could destabilize South Asia further.

Meanwhile, India remains firm in its resolve. Defence analysts say the success of Operation Sindoor is not only a tactical win but a strong political message — India will not allow attacks on its soil to go unpunished.

A detailed briefing from the Indian Armed Forces is expected later today, which may shed further light on the scale, precision, and intelligence behind the operation.