Pakistan Confirms Ceasefire Request After India’s Precision Airstrikes

In a significant development, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has publicly confirmed that Islamabad formally requested a ceasefire from India shortly after the Indian Air Force conducted a series of precise airstrikes on key Pakistani military installations. These strikes, known as Operation Sindoor, were launched in early May 2025 in retaliation for the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians.

The May 10 strike took out the northern air command-control network at Nur Khan airbase in Chaklala. (AP) | Hindustan Times

The Indian operation marked a decisive shift in New Delhi’s approach towards cross-border terrorism and military deterrence. Unlike previous reactive measures, Operation Sindoor combined targeted airstrikes, cruise missiles, and advanced loitering munitions to strike terror camps within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as key military assets such as the Nur Khan and Shorkot airbases. The strikes disrupted Pakistan’s command and control capabilities, particularly affecting northern air defenses, and signaled India’s growing indigenous defense capabilities.

Ishaq Dar’s Revelatory Statements

In a rare and candid television interview, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Islamabad requested a ceasefire following India’s airstrikes. He described how the sequence of events unraveled, “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 just learnt about my conversation with (U.S. 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’s words mark a major admission, clearly stating that Pakistan took the initiative in seeking the ceasefire, contradicting earlier claims of robust counterstrikes by Islamabad

The Ceasefire Request: A Rare Admission

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s televised remarks shed new light on the events following the strikes. According to him, Indian missiles hit the Nur Khan and Shorkot bases around 2:30 AM, and within 45 minutes, a call from Saudi Prince Faisal arrived. The prince sought permission to approach India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, to urge a halt to the military actions. Dar affirmed this request, signaling Islamabad’s willingness to stop hostilities if India agreed.

This candid admission stands in contrast to Pakistan’s earlier narrative, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials asserted a strong retaliatory stance. Dar’s account suggests that Pakistan was taken by surprise and rapidly pursued diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation, highlighting the severity and impact of India’s operation.

Diplomatic Maneuvering and International Involvement

The ceasefire request was facilitated through multiple diplomatic channels, with Saudi Arabia playing a crucial intermediary role. Prince Faisal’s prompt outreach to India’s leadership underscores Riyadh’s interest in preventing the escalation of conflict between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Meanwhile, the United States was actively engaged behind the scenes. Top U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance, maintained contact with both India and Pakistan to encourage dialogue and avoid further escalation. Despite these efforts, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the ceasefire was a result of direct communication between New Delhi and Islamabad, and explicitly rejected claims of third-party mediation.

The international diplomatic dance that unfolded in the wake of Operation Sindoor reflects the broader geopolitical stakes involved in the India-Pakistan conflict, with global powers keen to maintain regional stability.

Strategic Implications for India and Pakistan

Operation Sindoor marks a milestone in India’s evolving military doctrine. Unlike earlier punitive actions such as the 2016 Uri raid or the 2019 Balakot strikes, this operation demonstrated India’s ability to blend precision with restraint—inflicting significant damage on terrorist infrastructure and military assets without provoking full-scale war. The use of advanced indigenous weaponry like the Akash surface-to-air missile and BrahMos supersonic cruise missile showcased India’s technological and tactical progress.

For Pakistan, the aftermath of Operation Sindoor has prompted a reassessment of its military posture and narrative management. While Islamabad initially asserted robust counterstrikes, the reality appears more complex, involving swift damage control and diplomatic overtures. Analysts suggest that Pakistan is also working to manage international perceptions in the wake of its military setbacks.

Looking Forward: The Path to Stability

While the ceasefire has helped prevent immediate escalation, the underlying issues between India and Pakistan—most notably the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism—remain unresolved. Both sides have indicated a willingness to engage in talks, but mutual mistrust and political pressures continue to hinder progress.

India’s calibrated use of military force combined with diplomatic engagement signals a mature approach aimed at deterrence without full conflict. Pakistan’s recent outreach suggests a tentative opening for dialogue, although it remains to be seen whether substantive negotiations will follow.

The international community, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United States, will likely continue to play a supportive role in maintaining peace and encouraging constructive engagement between the two nations.

Conclusion

The revelation by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar that Islamabad sought a ceasefire shortly after India’s Operation Sindoor highlights the intense pressure Pakistan faced in the wake of India’s swift and precise military response. This episode underscores a shift in the India-Pakistan dynamic—where measured but forceful military action is coupled with urgent diplomatic outreach to prevent escalation.

As both countries navigate this delicate balance, the hope remains that such restraint and dialogue can pave the way toward resolving deeper conflicts and securing lasting peace in the region. However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, requiring sustained political will, mutual trust, and continued engagement from both regional and global actors.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, LiveMint, OpIndia)