Breaking News: Pakistan Admits to Asking for Ceasefire After India Struck Airbases

All About Anything

June 21, 2025

On the night of May 6–7, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror launchpads and Pakistani military installations in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
Key sites hit included Nur Khan Airbase near Rawalpindi and Shorkot (PAF Base Rafiqui) in Punjab.
In a rare and candid admission, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on national TV that Pakistan requested a ceasefire within 45 minutes of the strikes.

According to Dar, at around 2:30 AM, the strikes prompted action: Saudi Crown Prince Faisal called him to check if he was authorized to speak with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Dar promptly agreed, and Saudi Arabia mediated, ultimately delivering Pakistan’s ceasefire appeal to India.
Phones were busy with contacts involving the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, showing that Islamabad sought international support alongside regional help.

Breaks the public narrative: Pakistan previously showcased a narrative of retaliatory pride, but this admission reveals urgency and vulnerability.
Confirms India’s precision strikes: The confirmation of hits on both Nur Khan and Shorkot underscores the strategic precision of Operation Sindoor.
Downplays U.S. influence: Debunking former President Trump’s claim, Dar’s statement shows the ceasefire plea was routed via Saudi Arabia, not Washington.
Congress in India challenged: With Pakistan admitting its own plea, political rivals in India (like the Congress party) face questions over their earlier criticism of the government’s handling.

Pahalgam Attack (April 22): A terror attack on tourists near Srinagar prompted the Indian military’s decisive response.
Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsus: Pakistan countered with its own strikes across the border from May 8–10, marking the first drone battle between nuclear neighbors.
A U.S.-mediated ceasefire began May 10, but both sides reported fires and violations shortly after.

Civilians in and around Rawalpindi and Shorkot noted low-altitude missile noise and temporary flight suspensions .
A bit of light amidst tension: Amid seriousness, anecdotes emerged—like soldiers joking about midnight snacks disrupted by missile alerts, keeping morale alive during tense hours.
Pilots and ground staff, after the dust settled, reportedly traded light-hearted barbs about who had “the best night vision” following the early-morning chaos.

Diplomatic balance: Pakistan’s admission could reset the rhetoric, making future peace talks slightly smoother or, conversely, more tense if nationalists push back.
Role of mediators: Saudi Arabia’s quick, quiet role hints that Gulf nations may play bigger parts in South Asia diplomacy.
Political pressure in India: With Pakistan admitting the ceasefire request, Indian opposition may struggle to argue against the government’s narrative or over-emphasizing Trump’s role.
Security lessons: Analysts suggest Pakistan will now focus on stronger early warning systems, given the surprise element of the strikes .