Lahore/Islamabad, May 10 — Amid escalating hostilities, Pakistan has signaled it may consider de-escalation if India halts further military action, even as both countries exchanged missile attacks targeting each other’s installations over the last 12 hours.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told Geo News on Saturday, "Pakistan will consider de-escalation if India stops further attacks. However, if India launches any further strikes, our response will follow." His remarks came shortly after speaking with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In its statement, the US State Department said Rubio urged both nations to avoid miscalculation, restore direct communication channels, and offered American assistance in initiating dialogue. Rubio also held discussions with Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir.
China also issued a call for restraint, urging both India and Pakistan to return to peaceful negotiations.
Pakistan Launches 'Operation Bunyan al-Marsous'
Responding to India’s recent strikes, Pakistan launched “Operation Bunyan al-Marsous” — meaning “Iron Wall.” Officials claimed medium-range Fateh-1 missiles were used, and multiple Indian targets were struck.The operation follows India’s precision airstrikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan Army spokesperson, said air bases at Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui were targeted by India early Saturday morning but claimed all air force assets remained unharmed.
Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes reportedly included a drone attack near Nankana Sahib, a claim India denied. Pakistani officials also alleged damage at Sheikh Zayed International Airport in Rahim Yar Khan. India reiterated that it had avoided civilian infrastructure in its strikes.
Civil-Military Leadership Signals Readiness
Foreign Minister Dar said the response was "proportionate" and warned of continued action, adding that the outcome would depend on India’s next steps. Information Minister Atta Tarar echoed this sentiment, saying, "De-escalation is in India's hands."Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a briefing to President Asif Ali Zardari, affirmed Pakistan’s resolve, highlighting the country’s “effective response” under Operation Bunyan al-Marsous. The meeting was attended by Dar and Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that a meeting of the National Command Authority had not been convened, adding that the nuclear option was not currently under consideration but warned the conflict could widen. “This is not going to be confined to the region only,” Asif said, emphasizing global ramifications.
Airspace Closed, Missiles Intercepted
The Pakistan Airport Authority shut down airspace from 3:15 am to noon for all types of air traffic amid heightened military activity.Indian defence sources stated that multiple Pakistani drones targeted 26 locations across India, from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat, but all attempts to strike vital assets such as airports and air bases were foiled. On Thursday, at least eight missiles launched by Pakistan were intercepted near Jammu, including near the critical Jammu airport.
Tensions have reached a boiling point with both countries trading heavy military fire. The international community is watching closely, urging de-escalation to avoid a broader conflict.