May 10 – Pakistan has officially confirmed the initiation of a retaliatory military campaign, Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, in response to what it alleges were missile strikes launched by India on key Pakistani military installations. The name of the operation, derived from Arabic, translates to “wall of lead,” symbolizing a strong and impenetrable response.
According to Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Indian forces launched six surface-to-air missiles early Saturday morning, targeting three critical military airbases: Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot. While Pakistan’s air defense systems reportedly intercepted the majority of the missiles, the attempt marked a significant escalation between the two neighboring nuclear powers.
Within hours of the alleged Indian missile strikes, Pakistan commenced counter-offensive operations. The Pakistani military claimed its response specifically targeted Indian army facilities and defense sites, including the strategic Pathankot airbase, the BrahMos missile storage facility in Punjab, and the Udhampur air force base located in Indian-administered Kashmir. The area, including the city of Srinagar, echoed with powerful blasts and continuous firing from anti-aircraft guns.
Military Confrontation Reaches Dangerous Heights
The Pakistani government stressed that its counterattacks were limited to military objectives, with officials indicating a conscious effort to avoid civilian casualties. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal addressed the nation via local media, affirming that all measures had been taken to ensure precision and restraint. “Our operations are targeting the bases used to strike us. This is a calculated and measured response. We are avoiding civilian areas to prevent unnecessary suffering,” he said. Iqbal also issued a stark warning regarding the risk of further escalation, cautioning against crossing the nuclear threshold.
Meanwhile, parts of northern India, particularly regions in Punjab, Haryana, and Indian-administered Kashmir, were placed under heightened security protocols. Local authorities enforced strict blackout regulations and advised residents to remain indoors. Indian defense officials maintained that their forces were on full alert. A statement from India’s Ministry of Defence indicated that all aerial threats were being monitored and countered using advanced counter-drone technology.
The Indian military responded by labeling the situation as a “blatant escalation,” accusing Pakistan of deploying unmanned aerial systems and other munitions along the western border. In Amritsar, defense units reportedly engaged and neutralized several hostile drones.
Among the Pakistani bases reportedly hit was Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, a significant military installation located roughly 10 kilometers from Islamabad. Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke rising from the area, accompanied by residents’ panicked voices. Eyewitnesses described being jolted awake by the blasts. “The earth trembled beneath us as flames lit up the sky. Everyone came out of their homes in fear,” said a local resident.
Cycle of Attacks and Rising Hostilities
Saturday’s developments appear to be part of a spiraling series of retaliations between the two countries. On Wednesday, India reportedly carried out missile strikes across nine locations inside Pakistan, which led to the death of at least 31 people. Those strikes were said to be in retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir late last month, where 25 Hindu tourists and their guide were killed. India accused the attackers of having ties to Pakistan-based militant groups.
The confrontation intensified on Friday night when Indian officials claimed that Pakistan had launched a large-scale drone offensive targeting 26 different locations, including cities, military bases, and places of worship across northern India. In one instance, a drone allegedly targeted a Sikh gurdwara, injuring a civilian. Indian authorities also alleged that Christian churches were among the intended targets. Pakistan’s information minister, however, denied any involvement in the drone attacks.
A Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, hinted that the drone strikes were designed to provoke and “soften targets” ahead of the broader counteroffensive that followed. On Friday, India reportedly responded to the drone assault with four drone strikes targeting Pakistani defense infrastructure.
Following the launch of Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Islamabad had exhausted all diplomatic avenues before resorting to military action. “We tried to resolve this through dialogue and backchannel discussions, but India left us no choice,” he said during an interview with a local television channel.
Amid the rising tensions, the United States issued a call for calm. A representative from the U.S. State Department stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had urgent talks with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The talks focused on immediate de-escalation and the possibility of initiating diplomatic engagement to prevent further conflict.
With airspace closures, mounting casualties, and both sides on high alert, the current situation marks one of the most dangerous episodes between India and Pakistan in recent years. Both nations possess significant military capabilities and nuclear arsenals, raising international concern about the potential consequences should the conflict spiral further out of control.