Pakistan says three air bases hit by Indian missile strikes

Pakistan has reported that three of its air bases were targeted by Indian missiles, as tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries escalate amid ongoing military operations.

On 10 May 2025, Pakistan announced that three of its air bases—PAF Base Nur Khan near Islamabad, and the Murid and Rafiqui airbases—were targeted by missile strikes from India. According to Pakistan’s military, most of the missiles were intercepted, but the attacks were described as “provocations of the highest order”.

These strikes form part of a broader conflict that escalated following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on 7 May. The Indian operation targeted nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi said were being used by militant groups responsible for a fatal attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam on 22 April. Islamabad, however, claimed that the strikes resulted in civilian casualties and damaged non-military infrastructure, including mosques.

In response, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan al-Marsus on 10 May, conducting retaliatory strikes across several Indian cities, including New Delhi. Analysts have noted this development as the first instance of drone warfare between two nuclear-armed states.

Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, clarified that no meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) had been scheduled following the military operation on Saturday. "No meeting has happened of the National Command Authority, nor is any such meeting scheduled," he told ARY TV, contradicting earlier reports stating that the Prime Minister had called for an NCA meeting.

The conflict has prompted concerns from the international community. The Group of Seven (G7) nations called on both India and Pakistan to begin direct dialogue and reduce tensions. The United States has offered to facilitate peace talks. Nevertheless, military activity has continued, resulting in daily exchanges of fire and rising casualties on both sides.

The ongoing hostilities have drawn widespread attention amid fears that the confrontation between India and Pakistan could escalate further.

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