BrahMos before dawn: India’s preemptive strike stuns Pakistan

In a stunning admission that underscores the growing volatility between two nuclear-armed neighbors, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again confirmed that India launched a coordinated missile strike inside Pakistani territory on the night of May 9–10, catching the Pakistani military unprepared and striking deep into strategic and terror-linked sites.

Speaking in Azerbaijan, Sharif revealed that Pakistan’s armed forces were poised to retaliate at 4:30 a.m. following the Fajr prayers. However, before they could act, Indian forces executed a precision missile assault using BrahMos cruise missiles that struck multiple high-value targets across Pakistan, including the military-run Nur Khan Airbase and Rawalpindi airport.

“We had planned to act at 4:30 a.m. after Fajr prayers. But before that hour arrived, India once again launched a missile attack using BrahMos and hit various provinces of Pakistan,” said Sharif in a speech that has stirred fresh diplomatic tension.

The strikes were carried out under Operation Sindoor, a classified Indian military operation aimed at neutralizing terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 Indian lives. According to Indian government sources, nine terror training and logistical hubs — four in Pakistan and five in PoK — were obliterated. Among the eliminated were over 100 militants associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The Prime Minister also recounted a dramatic late-night call at 2:30 a.m. from Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, confirming Indian missile impacts at multiple locations.

“General Asim Munir called me on a secure line to inform me that India had launched its missiles. One landed at Nur Khan Airbase and others in different areas,” Sharif admitted earlier this month during a speech in Islamabad.

In retaliation, Pakistan reportedly deployed drones to target civilian areas in India. India’s response was swift and severe — with missile strikes targeting radar systems, command centres, and ammunition depots deep within Pakistani territory, including locations in Rafiqui, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Sialkot.

A temporary ceasefire was brokered on May 10, halting further land, air, and sea military actions. Yet, the truce was short-lived, with Pakistan allegedly violating the agreement within hours. Despite this, Indian defence officials later confirmed that both nations had agreed to maintain the ceasefire indefinitely.

Diplomatic Disconnect

The military escalation comes against the backdrop of renewed diplomatic overtures from Islamabad. Earlier this week, PM Sharif stated that Pakistan is open to “meaningful dialogue” with India on key issues including Kashmir, water-sharing, and bilateral trade.

India, however, remains firm on its longstanding position: terror and talks cannot go hand-in-hand.

“Our position is clear. Engagement with Pakistan can only happen if they end cross-border terrorism,” said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing.

He reiterated that Jammu & Kashmir is non-negotiable, and any future talks would hinge on Pakistan vacating PoK. Additionally, India has demanded the extradition of wanted terrorists and placed the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance until Islamabad “credibly and irrevocably abjures support for terrorism.”