Top US diplomat speaks with army chief after Pakistan's counteroffensive on India

Shortly after Pakistan launched a retaliatory operation targeting military sites in India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, the U.S. Department of State said on Saturday.

The high-level conversation came amid rapidly escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

According to the State Department, Rubio reiterated the United States' call for both countries to take steps toward de-escalation and avoid further conflict. He also offered U.S. support in facilitating constructive talks to help prevent future hostilities.

Operation Bunyān-un-Marsūs

Pakistan has launched a large-scale military counter-offensive, codenamed Operation Bunyān-un-Marsūs, after India fired air-to-ground missiles at multiple Pakistani airbases in what Islamabad described as a blatant act of aggression, state media reported early Saturday.

As per the latest reports, Pakistan's military has claimed responsibility for destroying several key Indian military sites in retaliation for recent attacks. According to state media, the Akhnoor Aviation Base, the Uri Field Supply Depot, and the Bhathinda Airfield have all been destroyed.

In addition, Pakistani drones were also said to be flying over Gujarat, the hometown of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the past three hours.

Earlier, the Pakistani military claimed to have destroyed a BrahMos missile storage facility in India’s Beas region, state media further reported. The strikes were ongoing at multiple locations across India, with an air base in Udhampur and an airfield in Pathankot also reportedly destroyed.

"At the moment, Pakistani drones are flying over and operating in India’s capital, Delhi," state media said.

As per security sources, Pakistan Air Force's JF-17 Thunder jets, using hypersonic missiles, have destroyed India’s S-400 system in Adampur.

The S-400 air defense system is estimated to be worth around $1.5 billion.

Cyber offensive launched

Moreover, the sources also claimed to have launched a cyber offensive on the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited in India.

"The Pakistani cyber attack team has hacked into the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited. As a result of the Pakistani cyber attack, there is a complete power outage. The attack has wiped out the records of all commercial and domestic meters in the state of Maharashtra," they stated.

The ruling Indian Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) website was also targeted.

Other hacked websites include the Crime Research Investigation Agency, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, Bharat Earth Movers Limited, and the All India Naval Technical Supervisory Staff Association.

All content from the hacked websites has reportedly been wiped.

Additional compromised sites include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Border Security Forces, and the Unique Identification Authority of India, whose data has been leaked.

Leaked data is also said to involve the Indian Air Force, the Maharashtra Election Commission, and others.

Furthermore, over 2,500 surveillance cameras have reportedly been hacked.

PM summons NCA meeting

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of the National Command Authority, which will take place shortly.

The National Command Authority (NCA) is tasked with ensuring Pakistan's national security by overseeing the command, control, and operational decisions related to the country's nuclear weapons program.

Chaired by the Prime Minister, the NCA is responsible for maintaining the strategic oversight and operational readiness of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, while also functioning as a key policy body on matters concerning weapons of mass destruction.

The committee last met in 2019 following the Balakot strikes by India, and then again in 2021 for peacetime review.

What led to the operation

The announcement of the operation came following a brief video message of Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif confirming that Indian missiles targeted Nur Khan Airbase, the Pakistan Air Force’s Murid base, and the Shorkot base.

“According to initial reports, all PAF assets remain safe,” Sharif said.

He described the strikes as a “continuation of India’s blatant aggression,” and accused New Delhi of escalating tensions in the region. “India also fired missiles into Afghanistan and carried out a drone strike there,” he added.

“With its aggression and madness, India is dragging the entire region towards a dangerous conflict,” Sharif warned.

The ISPR chief also issued a stern warning to India. “Let it be clear — we will not be cowed by your power or ill intentions,” he said. “Now, you just wait for our response.”

Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, where the military has its headquarters, is around 10 kilometers from the capital Islamabad.

'No damage to PAF flying assets'

In another update, the military spokesperson said that the majority of missiles fired by India were intercepted by the armed forces' alert air defense system. Those few that managed to get through caused no damage to Pakistan Air Force flying assets, according to initial damage assessment reports, he added.

He said the air defense system had successfully prevented India from achieving its intended objectives. Referring to the wider scope of the attack, he said that India also launched missiles and drones into Afghanistan shortly after firing missiles from its own territory in Indian Punjab.

Calling it part of a “larger sinister plan to push the region -- and beyond -- into chaos, the DG ISPR said that the PAF has electronic signatures of all the missiles, including their points of origin and intended targets. “I want to assure the people of Pakistan that your armed forces remain vigilant and are successfully thwarting these cowardly acts of Indian aggression,” he said.

“These blatant acts of aggression reflect the growing paranoia within the Indian mindset -- a paranoia that intensifies with each failed attempt. They cannot break the resolve and will of the Pakistani people, which only strengthens with every such cowardly move,” he added.

He said this growing frustration and paranoia within the Indian mindset will only be further compounded.

Pakistan strikes back under Operation Bunyān-un-Marsūs

According to Pakistani security sources, the military has launched coordinated retaliatory strikes under Operation Bunyān-un-Marsūs — Arabic for “a solidly fortified structure” — targeting key Indian military facilities.

So far, Pakistan has destroyed a BrahMos missile storage site in Beas, from where the missiles targeting Pakistan were allegedly launched.

The sources further said that Pakistan has destroyed the Indian Air Force’s Udhampur Air Base in Jammu and flattened the heavily fortified airfield in Pathankot, Punjab.

In addition to air bases, the latest update from security officials confirmed the destruction of a Brigade Headquarters at G Top and a military supply depot in Uri, near the Line of Control. Both sites were described as “critical nodes in India’s forward operating capability.”

“These are precision strikes aimed at degrading India's military infrastructure responsible for aggression against Pakistan,” one senior security source told state broadcaster PTV News.

Security sources also claim that cyberwarfare capabilities were deployed as part of the operation. “Through a coordinated cyberattack, 70 percent of India’s power grid has been rendered inoperative,” they said.

The Pakistani military has not yet issued an official press release detailing the scope, timing, or potential continuation of the operation.

There has been no response from Indian officials on the reported Pakistani counter-strikes or their earlier missile attack.

India fires missiles at Amritsar

Earlier, in another video statement, the military spokesperson had accused India of targeting Sikh minorities in Indian Punjab and launching ballistic missiles into its own territory to provoke anti-Pakistan sentiments.

“Our sympathies are with the Sikh population of [Indian] Punjab,” said Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

A car moves during a blackout in the city of Amritsar, India, May 9, 2025.Reuters

Chaudhry claimed that India fired six ballistic missiles from Adampur, one of which exploded shortly after launch, while five struck locations in Amritsar. He suggested the attacks were designed to frame Pakistan and inflame sectarian tensions.

“There is a systematic attempt to target the Sikh community in order to spark anti-Pakistan sentiments,” he said. “This is a disturbing and dangerous tactic.”

“This defies all logic—why would they fire five ballistic missiles into Amritsar and one into Adampur? It makes no sense,” he added.

Pakistan's retaliation underway, state media reports

Meanwhile, the Pakistani military has launched its counter-attack against Indian aggression, state broadcaster PTV News reported, quoting security sources.

According to the report, the counter-attack began shortly after DG ISPR’s statement that three Pakistan Air Force bases had been targeted.

Details of the counter-strikes are not yet known, and the military has not officially commented on the nature or scope of the retaliation.

G7 urges immediate de-escalation

The G7 countries have called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and urged both India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue to work towards a peaceful resolution.

'Baseless allegations'

Joined by senior officials from the Pakistan Air Force and Navy earlier in the day, the military spokesperson categorically denied any Pakistani involvement in the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 Indian tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

“India immediately blamed Pakistan without presenting any credible evidence,” Chaudhry said. “We strongly reject these baseless allegations. Pakistan has nothing to do with the Pahalgam incident.”

He urged India to allow an impartial international investigation and accused New Delhi of trying to deflect attention from its own internal security failures.

Citing examples from Indian media and social platforms, Chaudhry said Indian citizens and political figures have publicly questioned the security lapses around the Pahalgam attack.

“In a region with 700,000 troops, how did terrorists infiltrate, strike, and leave without a trace?” he asked. “Even Indian politicians are calling this another Pulwama-style drama.”

India has previously used high-profile attacks to justify military action against Pakistan, most notably in 2019 after the Pulwama bombing. Pakistan fears the same pattern is repeating itself.

As the crisis escalates, both sides are reporting military activity across the Line of Control and beyond.

Chaudhry said Pakistan had intercepted and shot down 77 Indian drones over the past 48 hours. “Every single drone has been neutralized. None returned to Indian airspace,” he said.

India, meanwhile, claimed it targeted nine alleged terrorist camps across the border. Pakistan has rejected those claims, stating that 31 civilians were killed in what it calls unprovoked aggression.

“This is an unacceptable escalation,” Chaudhry said. “We are only targeting military positions. Our armed forces do not attack civilians — it goes against our values, our faith, and our discipline.”

He accused the Indian military of using civilian casualties to stir nationalist fervor and manipulate public opinion.

No direct contact

On the issue of diplomatic contacts, Chaudhry dismissed reports of communication between the national security advisers (NSAs) of both countries.

“I can confirm that no direct contact has taken place between the NSAs of Pakistan and India,” he said. “As for indirect communication, the relevant ministry may comment.”

Chaudhry reiterated that Pakistan remains prepared to defend itself but does not seek war.

“They [India] will start it, but we will finish it,” he warned.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, two of them over Kashmir. While border skirmishes are not uncommon, this recent flare-up marks a rare instance of strikes deep into Pakistani territory.

State-run media outlets in Pakistan have warned that further provocations could trigger a broader regional conflict, especially as both nations possess nuclear capabilities.

The military spokesperson concluded with a message to India: “Stop the aggression. Stop blaming others. Introspect and address your internal fractures. Peace cannot be achieved through propaganda and provocation.”