Islamabad, December 28, 2025 – In a candid revelation, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari disclosed that during Operation Sindoor, he was advised by his Military Secretary to seek shelter in a bunker for his safety, a suggestion he reportedly refused. His statement sheds light on the intensity of India’s precision strikes during the four-day operation, which targeted key Pakistani military installations and terrorist infrastructure.

Zardari made the disclosure during a public event on Saturday, reflecting on the tense moments faced by Islamabad during the May military escalation. Despite repeated downplaying of Operation Sindoor by Pakistani authorities, the President’s admission confirms the scale and seriousness of the strikes, which followed the Pahalgam terror attack. India had launched the operation on May 7, 2025, and carried out targeted precision strikes on Pakistani military bases and terror camps over the course of four days, concluding with a ceasefire on May 10.

According to Zardari, his Military Secretary urgently approached him during the strikes and stated, “Sir, the war has started.” Zardari recalled that he had anticipated the escalation days earlier. His secretary insisted that he move to the safety of bunkers, but the President refused, emphasizing his belief in leadership responsibility on the battlefield. “If martyrdom is to come, it will come here. Leaders don’t die in bunkers. They die on the battlefield. They don’t die sitting in bunkers,” Zardari reportedly said, highlighting his resolve in the face of imminent danger.

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to cross-border terrorism, with India targeting specific Pakistani military infrastructure and terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation also aimed to deter further aggression from across the border. The Indian Air Force’s actions during the operation were strategic and precise, reportedly resulting in the downing of six Pakistani aircraft, including five fighter jets and one larger aircraft. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh confirmed that an AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control system) and six fighter jets were neutralized during the Indian strikes.

In addition to Zardari’s remarks, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar acknowledged the operational impact of the Indian strikes on Pakistani military installations during his year-end press briefing. Dar revealed that India had targeted Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi’s Chakala area, causing damage to military infrastructure and injuring personnel stationed there. He detailed the use of drones in the operation, stating, “They send drones towards Pakistan. In 36 hours, at least 80 drones were sent. We were able to intercept 79 drones out of 80, and only one drone damaged a military installation and personnel were also injured in the attack.”

While Islamabad’s official narrative has often sought to minimize the significance of Operation Sindoor, Zardari’s account paints a stark picture of the heightened tensions and the perceived threat to Pakistan’s top leadership. His refusal to take shelter in a bunker has been portrayed as a demonstration of courage and leadership, although it also underscores the high-risk nature of the situation at the time.

Operation Sindoor highlighted India’s strategic and technological capabilities, including precision airstrikes and drone-based surveillance, targeting terrorist networks and Pakistani military facilities with accuracy. The operation reportedly neutralized several critical targets while minimizing civilian casualties, demonstrating India’s focus on tactical precision and strategic deterrence.

The President’s revelation also emphasizes the psychological and operational pressures on Pakistan’s leadership during the strikes. Advisories to move to bunkers and safeguard personnel indicate that the operation was perceived as a serious threat to national security. Zardari’s account provides a rare glimpse into the decision-making and security protocols followed by Pakistan during cross-border military escalations.

Furthermore, the statements from Zardari and Dar collectively suggest that the Indian military successfully executed a combination of aerial and drone strikes that tested Pakistan’s defensive readiness. While Pakistan claims that most drones were intercepted, the admitted breach underscores vulnerabilities in their air defense systems during the operation.

Operation Sindoor remains a significant episode in India-Pakistan relations, underscoring both the tactical prowess of the Indian armed forces and the complex security dynamics in the region. The operation has been widely analyzed for its impact on regional stability, deterrence postures, and counterterrorism strategies.

Zardari’s remarks, coupled with Dar’s acknowledgment, are likely to influence public perception within Pakistan, highlighting the operational realities faced during the strikes. They also provide insight into the communication and advisory protocols for high-ranking officials in times of military crises.

India, on its part, continues to frame Operation Sindoor as a successful mission aimed at neutralizing terror infrastructure and maintaining national security, without escalating into full-scale conflict. The operation has been cited as an example of precision military strategy and measured response in the face of provocations.

As debates continue over the implications of Operation Sindoor, Zardari’s account adds a human dimension to the high-stakes military confrontation, reflecting the real-time decisions and pressures faced by state leaders during moments of national crisis. His defiance against bunker advisories highlights a personal commitment to leadership under fire, while also drawing attention to the unprecedented risks posed during the operation.

In summary, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s revelation offers a rare insider perspective on Operation Sindoor, emphasizing India’s precision strikes, the threats to Pakistani military installations, and the advisories provided to top leadership for safety. The four-day operation continues to be analyzed for its strategic, political, and operational significance in the broader context of Indo-Pak relations and regional security dynamics.