Zardari, however, claimed he declined the proposal, stating his resolve to face the situation head-on.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in retaliation for the terror attack at Pahalgam's Baisaran Meadows, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists.

"He (the secretary) came to me and said, 'War has begun. Let’s go to the bunkers.' But I told him, if martyrdom is to come, it will come here. Leaders don’t die in bunkers—they die on the battlefield," Zardari said, according to PTC News.

In response, Pakistan reportedly launched missile and drone attacks on Indian cities, all of which were unsuccessful. The conflict concluded on May 10.