Advised to hide in bunker during Operation Sindoor: Pakistan President Zardari

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said he was advised by his military secretary to take shelter in a bunker when India launched Operation Sindoor in May this year, triggering four days of intense military exchanges between the two neighbours.

Zardari made the remarks on Saturday while addressing a gathering in Larkana, Sindh, marking the 18th death anniversary of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.

‘Leaders don’t die in bunkers’

Recounting the events of early May, Zardari said he had anticipated a military escalation days before India carried out the strikes.

“My MS came to me and said, ‘Sir, the war has started.’ I had actually told him four days earlier that a war was going to happen,” Zardari said. He added that the officer then suggested moving to a bunker for safety.

“I said, ‘If martyrdom is to come, it will come here. Leaders don’t die in bunkers. They die on the battlefield. They don’t die sitting in bunkers,’” the president told the audience.

Operation Sindoor, military escalation

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, carrying out strikes on what it described as terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was conducted in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.

The strikes led to four days of military hostilities between India and Pakistan, involving exchanges along the Line of Control and aerial and missile engagements, before both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to halt further military action.

Zardari’s remarks on Pakistan’s response

Zardari said Pakistan sought peace but remained prepared to defend itself, asserting that the country had taken what he described as a “decisive stance” during the confrontation.

“Pakistan desires peace but remains fully prepared to defend itself,” he said, while referring to the May clashes.

He also praised Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir, claiming the military had given a “befitting reply” to India during the conflict.

Praise for army chief and political claims

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said the international community was now acknowledging Pakistan’s position, and claimed that even US President Donald Trump had praised General Munir.

Zardari further asserted that it was the PPP that played a role in elevating Munir to the rank of field marshal. “We, the PPP, made Gen Munir Field Marshal,” he said.

Zardari’s son and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also spoke at the commemorative event in Larkana, which was attended by party leaders and supporters paying tribute to Benazir Bhutto on the anniversary of her assassination.