Hyderabad: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has admitted that he was advised to move to a bunker during the four day conflict with India in May, following Operation Sindoor. He said his military secretary suggested taking shelter after the strikes began, but he declined the advice. Zardari made the remarks while addressing a public gathering on Saturday.
According to Zardari, the warning came soon after India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025. The operation was carried out to avenge the killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 26. He said the advice to move to a bunker reflected the seriousness of the situation in Islamabad after the Indian strikes began.
Recalling the moment, the Pakistani President said, “He (the secretary) came to me and said that ‘war has begun. Let’s go to the bunkers.’ But I told him that if martyrdom is to come, it will come here. Leaders don’t die in bunkers. They die on the battlefield,” he said. His remarks indicated the level of alarm within Pakistan’s power corridors during the conflict.
Claims disputed by Indian military officer
Zardari also claimed that he had knowledge of the war four days in advance. However, this assertion was strongly challenged by a retired Indian military officer. Responding to Zardari’s comments, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (retired) rejected the claim and said that Pakistan’s political and military leadership had taken shelter in bunkers.
He said, “Even Asim Munir was inside the bunker when India attacked. The political leadership and military commanders were in the bunkers. Only their soldiers were fighting it out, and they got killed. Even this is a lie that he knew it four days in advance. If they knew it four days in advance, why couldn’t they stop a single missile from hitting nine targets?” he said.
The retired officer referred to the tactical strikes carried out by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force under Operation Sindoor. According to the statement, at least nine terror camps were destroyed and over a hundred terrorists were eliminated during the operation.
Conflict ends after failed response
Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan attempted missile and drone attacks on Indian cities. However, these attempts were described as unsuccessful. As losses mounted, Pakistani commanders reportedly requested a ceasefire.
The four day conflict came to an end on May 10, after Pakistan sought to stop further escalation. The statements made by Zardari and the counter claims by the Indian military officer have once again drawn attention to the developments and responses during Operation Sindoor. (Maxim News)
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