Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has admitted that the country was forced to seek a ceasefire with India last month after two of its key air bases were hit during India’s military operation following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking on a local television news programme, Dar confirmed that the Indian Air Force targeted the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi and the Shorkot air base, also known as PAF Base Rafiqui, in Punjab province during Operation Sindoor. The strikes were carried out in the early hours of May 8 in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists.

Dar said that the situation escalated rapidly, prompting Pakistan to seek help from both the United States and Saudi Arabia. “…unfortunately, India once again launched missile strikes at 2.30 am. They attacked the Nur Khan air base and Shorkot air base…Within 45 minutes, Saudi Prince Faisal called me. He said he had then just learnt about my conversation with (US Secretary of State) Marco Rubio. He asked if he was authorised to talk to (India’s External Affairs Minister) S Jaishankar and convey that we are ready if they (India) stop. I said yes, brother, you can. He then called me back, saying he had conveyed the same to Jaishankar,” Dar said in a TV interview.

The Nur Khan base, located between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, is one of Pakistan’s most sensitive military compounds, home to both air operations and VIP aircraft. Videos circulating on social media showed explosions and fire at the base.

Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, triggering retaliatory actions from Pakistan. However, India responded with further precision strikes.

The incident marked a serious flare-up in India-Pakistan tensions, drawing global attention. Dar’s admission is a rare public acknowledgment of Indian military effectiveness and the pressure it created on Islamabad to de-escalate.