Pakistan Admits Indian Strike on Nur Khan Airbase Amid Ceasefire Mediation Claims

Context:
In a significant diplomatic and security-related development, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar publicly acknowledged that India attacked the Nur Khan airbase on May 10, 2025, marking the first official admission by Pakistan since the May conflict. The statement also revealed the role of third-party mediation by the United States and Saudi Arabia, while parallel diplomatic tensions emerged between India and Bangladesh over minority safety concerns.

Key Highlights:

Admission of Military Action

• Pakistan confirmed that India targeted the Nur Khan airbase during the May 2025 conflict.

• This admission came eight months after the hostilities, indicating delayed acknowledgment.

• President Asif Ali Zardari stated he was advised to remain hidden during Operation Sindoor, underlining the seriousness of the threat perception.

Conflict Dynamics and Claims

• Pakistan claimed to have intercepted 79 out of 80 drones allegedly sent by India within 36 hours.

• These assertions remain unverified independently but highlight the evolving nature of drone warfare in South Asia.

Ceasefire and External Mediation

• According to Ishaq Dar:

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacted him on May 10, conveying India’s willingness for a ceasefire.

  • Saudi Arabia also offered to mediate through its Foreign Minister.

• Raises questions on:

  • Third-party mediation in bilateral conflicts.

  • Consistency with the Simla Agreement and Lahore Declaration, which emphasise bilateral resolution.

India–Bangladesh Diplomatic Exchange

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the killing of Dipu Chandra Das and raised concerns over attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

• Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by:

  • Rejecting allegations of systemic persecution.

  • Terming incidents as isolated criminal acts.

  • Accusing certain groups in India of amplifying incidents to spread anti-Bangladesh sentiment.

• Bangladesh described Amrit Mondal, cited by India, as a listed criminal involved in extortion.

• Tensions escalated after reports of lynching of two Hindu youths, flagged by India.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Issue: India–Pakistan military engagement and post-conflict disclosures.

• Key Events:

  • Attack on Nur Khan airbase

  • Operation Sindoor

• Key Concepts:

  • Ceasefire

  • Third-party mediation

• Institutions/Countries Involved:

  • India, Pakistan

  • United States

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Bangladesh

• Impact:

  • Regional security implications

  • Diplomatic signalling and narrative shaping

Relevant Mains Points:

• Security & Strategic Dimensions:

  • Admission reflects credibility challenges in conflict narratives.

  • Increasing role of drones in modern warfare.

• International Relations Aspects:

  • Third-party mediation vs India’s stand on bilateralism.

  • Implications for South Asian stability.

• India–Neighbourhood Policy:

  • Managing minority rights concerns without diplomatic escalation.

  • Balancing principled diplomacy and regional sensitivities.

• Way Forward:

  • Strengthen crisis communication mechanisms.

  • Reaffirm commitment to bilateral dispute resolution frameworks.

  • Enhance regional confidence-building measures (CBMs).

  • Address minority protection issues through quiet diplomacy and institutional dialogue.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS Paper II – International Relations: India–Pakistan relations, third-party mediation, neighbourhood diplomacy.

• GS Paper III – Internal Security: Cross-border conflict, drone warfare, military preparedness.