Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has disclosed that he was advised to take shelter in a bunker when India launched Operation Sindoor in May this year, amid a brief but intense military escalation between the two neighbours.
Zardari made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Larkana, Sindh, organised to mark the 18th death anniversary of his wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.
Recalling the tense moments at the onset of the conflict, Zardari said his Military Secretary alerted him to the situation and suggested moving to a secure location.
“My MS (Military Secretary) came to me and said, ‘Sir, the war has started.’ I had actually told him four days earlier that a war was going to happen. He said, ‘Sir, let’s go to a bunker (being a safe place)’… I said, ‘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,” he said on Saturday.
Operation Sindoor and four days of clashes
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed. The strikes led to four days of heightened military exchanges between India and Pakistan before both sides reached an understanding to halt hostilities on May 10.
Referring to the episode, Zardari said Pakistan sought peace but remained militarily prepared.
“Pakistan desires peace but remains fully prepared to defend itself,” he said, while asserting what he described as Pakistan’s “decisive stance” during the confrontation.
Praise for army leadership and political claims
During his address, the Pakistan President praised Army chief Asim Munir for what he termed a strong response to India during the conflict. He also claimed growing international recognition for Pakistan’s position, stating that even US President Donald Trump had praised Munir.
Zardari further credited his party for Munir’s elevation, saying, “We, the PPP, made Gen Munir Field Marshal.”
The event was also attended by Zardari’s son and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who addressed party workers and supporters on the occasion.