'War Has Started': Pakistan President Zardari Says He Was Asked to Go to Bunkers During Op Sindoor

New Delhi: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said he was advised to move to bunkers after being told that "war has started" during India's Operation Sindoor, a statement that sheds light on the level of panic inside Pakistan's top leadership during the recent military escalation with India.

Speaking at a public gathering on Saturday, Zardari said his military secretary warned him about the situation and suggested immediate shelter. The president claimed he refused, saying leaders should not hide when the country faces a crisis.

When did this moment unfold?

Zardari’s remarks refer to the tense days in May, when India carried out precision strikes under Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. The strikes led to sharp military exchanges between the two neighbours, raising fears of a wider conflict.

According to Zardari, the advice to take shelter came at the peak of tensions, when Pakistan's leadership believed the situation could escalate further.

What was Zardari's response?

The Pakistan president said he turned down the advice to move to bunkers. He told the audience that leaders must stand firm during difficult times and not retreat in fear.

Zardari also claimed he had sensed trouble even before the escalation began, suggesting the leadership was aware that a confrontation was likely.

"My MS (Military Secretary) was there. He 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. But he came to me and said, 'Sir, let's go to the bunkers.' 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'," Zardari said.

How serious was the India-Pakistan standoff?

Operation Sindoor marked one of the most serious military confrontations between India and Pakistan in recent years. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure and military-linked locations across the border.

Pakistan responded to the operation, triggering further retaliation by Indian forces, which subsequently struck around a dozen Pakistani air force bases.

For several days, the region remained on edge as both sides exchanged fire and strong warnings. Diplomatic channels were eventually activated to prevent further escalation.

Why are Zardari’s comments important?

Zardari’s admission is being seen as a rare public acknowledgment of the pressure within Pakistan’s power circles during Operation Sindoor.