Pakistan early Saturday, May 10, claimed that Indian missiles and drones targeted its three airbases. Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases of Pakistan Air Force were targeted.
"But all assets of the Air Force remain safe," he claimed. India has fired air-to-surface missiles with its jets, he claimed. He added that Pakistan's air defence system intercepted several missiles.
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He said this is a "sinister act of India pushing the region into lethal war and Pakistan will respond to this aggression. India should wait for our response". Chaudhry did not take any questions and ended the presser abruptly.
Shortly after accusing India, Pakistan officials said that they had begun their counterattack against India, under the name Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, an Arabic phrase meaning ‘wall of lead’. Pakistan said the Pathankot military airfield in Punjab and the Udhampur air force base in Kashmir were among the targets, with loud explosions heard from both. Loud explosions were also heard in Srinagar.
“The Indian Armed Forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems,” Indian Defence Ministry said.