For the first time publicly, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has acknowledged that the Indian armed forces carried out a pre-emptive strike, disrupting Pakistan's planned military retaliation. During the Pakistan-Turkey-Azerbaijan trilateral summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, Sharif revealed that Pakistan, led by Field Marshal Asim Munir, had scheduled a counterattack against India on May 10 at 4:30 AM, shortly after morning prayers.

However, before that could happen, India launched a surprise missile offensive on the night of May 9-10 using BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. The strike targeted multiple key Pakistani military sites, including the strategically vital Noor Khan airbase in Rawalpindi and the Murid base in Chakwal. Sharif stated that the missiles were launched by Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, marking the first operational deployment of the air-launched, extended-range BrahMos in a live combat situation. The offensive reportedly included around 15 BrahMos missiles and other precision-guided weapons, striking 8 to 11 major military targets across Pakistan.

The strikes were a direct response to the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians and was attributed by India to Pakistan-based terror outfits. Sharif’s admission highlights how India’s swift and precise military operation, named Operation Sindoor, caught Pakistan off guard and derailed its planned offensive.

Beyond conventional military targets, the Indian strikes also hit terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, reportedly eliminating high-ranking militants and their families. The damage dealt by India’s precision attacks prompted Pakistan to call for a ceasefire on May 10, following a direct communication from its Director General of Military Operations to his Indian counterpart.

India’s use of BrahMos missiles from Su-30 MKI aircraft marks a major leap in its strategic strike capabilities, showcasing its ability to deliver high-impact blows deep inside hostile territory while minimizing risks to its own forces. Sharif’s candid remarks at a summit attended by allies underline not only the operational success of India’s military strike but also its broader diplomatic and strategic consequences, signaling India’s resolve to act decisively against emerging threats.