PTC Web Desk: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly acknowledged that the Pakistan army was caught off guard during the night of May 9–10, when India launched BrahMos missile strikes targeting key military installations, including the Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi.

Speaking during an official visit to Azerbaijan—one of the few countries backing Pakistan—Sharif revealed that the military, under Army chief General Asim Munir, had planned a retaliatory strike on India scheduled for the early morning of May 10, immediately after Fajr (morning) prayers.

However, before Pakistan could act, India preemptively launched BrahMos cruise missiles—a long-range, supersonic precision weapon—striking multiple targets across various Pakistani provinces, according to Sharif’s statement.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made a rare public admission regarding India’s preemptive military action, revealing that the Pakistan army had planned a retaliatory strike on May 10 at 4.30 am, following Fajr (morning) prayers. However, he said the plan was disrupted when India launched BrahMos missile strikes in the early hours of May 10, hitting multiple military targets across Pakistan.

Speaking during an official address in Lachin, Azerbaijan, Sharif stated that he was informed about the Indian missile strikes by Asim Munir, who has since been elevated to the rank of Field Marshal. “On the night of May 9-10, we were preparing to respond to Indian aggression in a calibrated manner. But before we could act, India launched another missile assault using BrahMos, striking multiple regions, including the airport in Rawalpindi,” Sharif said.

This acknowledgment, made in Munir’s presence, marks a significant disclosure from the Pakistani leadership regarding India’s swift and targeted military response.

According to defense sources and satellite imagery assessments, India’s strikes were in retaliation to Pakistani drone and missile attacks on civilian regions near the western border. Among the 11 military facilities hit, the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi was a primary target. Located near the Pakistan Army Headquarters, the base is known to host critical military aircraft, including the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Ilyushin Il-78 refueling tankers. Imagery analysis shows visible damage to at least two military transport vehicles at the site.

In addition to Nur Khan, Indian BrahMos missiles also targeted key airbases at Rafiqui, Murid, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian, while Skardu, Bholari, Jacobabad, and Sargodha reportedly sustained significant damage.