ISLAMABAD, May 17, 2025 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently recounted a tense early morning moment that signaled a major turning point in South Asia’s escalating hostilities. At exactly 2:30 AM on May 10, a secure line rang at the Prime Minister’s residence. On the other end was General Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, delivering alarming news: Indian forces had launched missile strikes, with one landing at Nur Khan Airbase—an installation nestled between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, long considered a cornerstone of Pakistan’s air defense.

Shehbaz Sharif shared the experience during a public event in Islamabad, calling the moment “a sobering reminder of the fragile peace in our region.” The missile strike was part of India’s Operation Sindoor, a military campaign it claimed was in retaliation for the April 22 attack in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead. Indian officials blamed Pakistan-based militants, though Islamabad rejected the accusations as “unverified and politically motivated.”

India’s offensive, involving precision-guided munitions and an estimated 15 BrahMos missiles, reportedly targeted at least 11 strategic sites across Pakistan, crippling several airbases including Chaklala, Sargodha, Bholari, Jacobabad, and Skardu. The strikes severely disrupted Pakistan’s aerial response capacity and forced immediate relocations of key air assets.

What made this exchange more serious was not just the intensity, but the transparency of Pakistan’s response. Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to publicly acknowledge the missile strikes is being seen by observers as a rare moment of candor, diverging from Pakistan’s traditionally reserved stance on direct military engagements with India.

In response to the Indian strikes, Pakistan launched a wave of drone and missile attacks between May 7 and May 10, targeting Indian military infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in border states like Punjab and Gujarat. Despite Pakistan’s efforts, India’s multi-layered air defense—anchored by over 1,000 anti-aircraft guns and 750 short-range missile systems—proved formidable. Its Akash Teer system, integrated with the Air Force’s IACCS network, intercepted more than 600 Pakistani drones with notable efficiency.

Inside Pakistan’s military command, concerns over further escalation were mounting. With fears that Indian strikes could expand to nuclear command-and-control facilities, Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division went on maximum alert. Diplomatic channels were activated urgently, with Pakistan seeking intervention from the United States to prevent further deterioration.

At 3:35 PM IST on May 10, a critical hotline conversation between Pakistan’s DGMO Major General Kashif Abdullah and India’s Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai paved the way for a ceasefire agreement. Both sides agreed to a halt in hostilities across land, sea, and air. However, tensions lingered as Indian radar systems continued detecting Pakistani drones hours after the truce, prompting accusations of ceasefire violations.

India, meanwhile, reaffirmed its decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty—a punitive measure announced after the Poonch incident—despite calls from international observers urging restraint.

For now, calm has returned to the border. But as both nations reflect on one of the most serious escalations in recent years, the events of May 2025 will likely echo for months to come. Pakistan, while signaling openness to diplomacy, remains resolute in its message: it will not tolerate unilateral aggression.