Islamabad/New Delhi (National Times): Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a fiery response to India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, which struck terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), labeling it a “cowardly” attack by a “cunning enemy.” In a post on X, Sharif claimed that India targeted five locations in Pakistan and promised a robust retaliation, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
“The cunning enemy has carried out cowardly attacks on five locations in Pakistan,” Sharif declared. “Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this act of war imposed by India, and a forceful response is being given.” He sought to galvanize national unity, stating, “The entire nation stands with the Pakistani armed forces, and the morale and spirit of the entire Pakistani nation are high.” Sharif added, “The Pakistani nation and the Pakistani armed forces know how to deal with the enemy. We will never allow the enemy to succeed in their nefarious goals.”
India’s Operation Sindoor, executed earlier today, targeted nine terrorist sites in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. Indian officials have emphasized the operation’s precision, noting that it avoided Pakistani military facilities to prevent escalation. Sharif’s claim of five targeted sites contradicts India’s account, raising questions about the accuracy of Pakistan’s narrative.
The statement follows a pattern of heightened rhetoric from Pakistan, accompanied by false media claims, such as an alleged attack on India’s Srinagar airbase, which was debunked by Jammu and Kashmir Police at 2:30 AM IST. Indian authorities view Sharif’s remarks as an attempt to deflect attention from the success of Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s failure to curb terrorist activities on its soil.
A detailed Indian briefing on Operation Sindoor is expected later today, likely addressing Sharif’s accusations. As tensions simmer, the international community has called for restraint to avoid further escalation. No verified reports of Pakistani retaliation have surfaced, but Sharif’s rhetoric suggests a confrontational stance that could complicate diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.
