Pak Prez Zardari says he was advised to ‘hide in a bunker’ during Op Sindoor
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Lahore: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has revealed that he was advised to “hide in a bunker” when India launched Operation Sindoor in May this year.
Zardari made the remarks while addressing an event in Larkana, Sindh province, marking the 18th death anniversary of his wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in a gun-and-bomb attack in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007.
Recounting the events, Zardari said his military secretary informed him that the war had begun and suggested moving to a bunker. “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. He said, ‘Sir, let’s go to a bunker,’” Zardari said. He added that he refused, saying leaders do not die hiding in bunkers. “If martyrdom is to come, it will come here. Leaders don’t die in bunkers. They die on the battlefield,” he said on Saturday.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes led to four days of intense military clashes between the two countries before an understanding was reached to halt hostilities on May 10.
Zardari said Pakistan desires peace but remains fully prepared to defend itself, while asserting what he described as the country’s “decisive stance” during the four-day conflict.
He also praised Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, claiming the military had given a “befitting reply to India” during the clashes. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader further claimed that the international community was now acknowledging Pakistan’s position and said even US President Donald Trump had praised Munir.
Zardari also asserted that it was the PPP that elevated 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 addressed the gathering.
With PTI inputs