In a dramatic and forceful response to heightened provocations by Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed precision missile strikes, obliterating eight key Pakistani air bases as part of Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7. The targeted bases—Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan (Chaklala), Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot—represent critical nodes in Pakistan’s air defence and military infrastructure.
The strikes, announced during a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Saturday (May 10) morning, come in the wake of escalating tensions triggered by the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed terror network. The destruction of these bases, including the high-profile Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, just 10 kilometers from Pakistan’s military headquarters, has dealt a severe blow to Pakistan’s air capabilities and sent a clear message of India’s resolve to counter aggression decisively.
A Calculated Response to Pakistani Provocation
During a press briefing on May 9, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of engaging in “provocation and escalation” over the last three days, emphasising that India’s response has been “responsible” and proportionate. “Pakistan has targeted civilian and military establishments, and Indian armed forces have responded adequately,” Misri stated, dismissing Pakistan’s denials of its aggressive actions as “blatantly farcical” and indicative of its “duplicity.”
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh provided a detailed account of Pakistan’s violations, revealing that the Pakistan military had deployed 300 to 400 drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border. Initial forensic analysis identified these drones as Turkish Asisguard Songar models, likely intended to test India’s air defence systems and gather intelligence. Indian forces neutralised many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means, including thwarting an armed UAV attack on the Bathinda military station. Pakistan also resorted to heavy-calibre artillery shelling across the LoC, resulting in casualties among Indian Army personnel. Indian retaliatory fire inflicted significant losses on Pakistani forces.
Singh criticised Pakistan’s reckless decision to keep its civilian airspace open during these operations, accusing Islamabad of using civilian airliners as shields. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed civilian flights operating between Karachi and Lahore even as Pakistan launched drones and missiles toward India. “The Indian Air Force demonstrated considerable restraint to ensure the safety of international civil aviation,” Singh noted.
Operation Sindoor: Eight Air Bases Reduced to Rubble
On Saturday (May 10) morning, the Ministry of Defence announced that the IAF had struck military targets in eight Pakistani air bases: Rafiqui (Shorkot), Murid (Chakwal), Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Rahim Yar Khan (Shaikh Zayed), Sukkur (Bholari), Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, addressing the press, confirmed the destruction of these facilities, underscoring their critical role in Pakistan’s air defence and military operations. The strikes, executed with pinpoint accuracy, have crippled Pakistan’s ability to project air power and defend its airspace, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Nur Khan Air Base: A Symbolic and Strategic Target
The most prominent target was Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, located just 10 kilometres from Islamabad and adjacent to Pakistan’s military headquarters. Formerly home to Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Nur Khan is a critical hub for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). It houses the No. 12 VIP Squadron, responsible for transporting Pakistan’s top leadership, including the President (callsign Pakistan-1), the Prime Minister (callsign Pakistan-2), and the Chief of Air Staff (callsign Shahbaz-1). The base also hosts PAF College Chaklala, a training institute for aviation cadets, and Fazaia Inter College Nur Khan.
Murid Air Base: A Blow to Drone Operations
Located in Punjab’s Chakwal district, Murid Air Base is a key operational hub for the PAF’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) fleets. Its strategic position near the India-Pakistan border makes it vital for reconnaissance and drone-based operations. The base’s 9,000-foot runway and recently constructed hangar facilities have enhanced its capacity to support advanced UAV missions, which are integral to Pakistan’s air defence strategy. The destruction of Murid significantly weakens Pakistan’s ability to conduct surveillance and drone strikes, a critical component of its military operations along the LoC.
Rafiqui Air Base: A Historical and Tactical Loss
Situated 337 kilometres south of Islamabad in Jhang district, Rafiqui Air Base (formerly PAF Base Shorkot) is a major military installation named after Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, a hero of the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War. With a 10,000-foot runway and a parallel taxiway for emergency landings, Rafiqui is home to No. 34 Tactical Attack Wing, which operates Mirage III aircraft and other tactical units. The base’s history of being targeted by India during the 1965 war, when 10 aircraft were destroyed, underscores its vulnerability. The latest strikes have likely decimated its operational capacity, dealing a severe blow to Pakistan’s tactical air capabilities in the central region.
Rahim Yar Khan Air Base: A Forward Operating Hub
Officially known as Shaikh Zayed Airbase, Rahim Yar Khan Air Base is located near the border with India’s Rajasthan state, making it a critical forward operating base for rapid deployment and drone activities. The base shares infrastructure with Shaikh Zayed International Airport, serving both military and civilian aviation. It hosts fighter jets and UAVs, playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s southern air defence strategy. Its destruction disrupts Pakistan’s ability to project air power along the sensitive Rajasthan border, where tensions have frequently flared.
Sukkur (Bholari) Air Base: Emerging Tactical Asset
Sukkur Air Base, also known as PAF Base Bholari, is a relatively new facility in Sindh’s Jamshoro district, housing F-16A/B aircraft and the 19 Squadron Operational Conversion Unit. Its destruction undermines Pakistan’s ability to operate advanced fighter jets in the southern sector, further eroding its air defence capabilities.
Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot Air Bases: Tactical and Regional Losses
Chunian, located in Punjab, is likely a secondary operational base supporting regional air operations. Pasrur and Sialkot, both in Punjab’s strategically sensitive border regions, are critical for Pakistan’s air defence and rapid response capabilities near the LoC. Sialkot, in particular, is a major military hub with historical significance, having been a focal point during previous Indo-Pak conflicts. The destruction of these bases further dismantles Pakistan’s ability to maintain a robust air presence along its eastern border with India.
Strategic Implications of the Strikes
The destruction of eight of Pakistan’s 13 operational flying air bases represents a catastrophic setback for the PAF, which is already vastly outnumbered by the Indian Air Force’s 66 air stations. Pakistan’s air bases are concentrated under three geographic commands—Northern (Peshawar), Central (Lahore), and Southern (Karachi)—with Nur Khan and Murid under the Northern Air Command, Rafiqui, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot under the Central Air Command, and Sukkur under the Southern Air Command. The loss of over 60 per cent of its flying bases severely limits Pakistan’s ability to conduct offensive or defensive air operations, leaving its airspace vulnerable and its military leadership exposed.
India’s Message and Pakistan’s Response
India’s targeting of Nur Khan Air Base, in particular, is laden with strategic intent. By striking a facility that houses Pakistan’s “Air Force One” and serves as a hub for its top military and political leadership, India signalled its willingness to escalate if Pakistan continues its aggressive posture. The strikes on Rafiqui, Murid, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot further demonstrate India’s ability to systematically dismantle Pakistan’s air defense infrastructure, leaving it ill-equipped to sustain prolonged hostilities. The inclusion of Pasrur and Sialkot, located in Punjab’s volatile border region, underscores India’s focus on neutralising Pakistan’s ability to launch rapid counterattacks along the LoC.
Pakistan’s response has been marked by denial and disinformation, according to Indian officials. Foreign Secretary Misri condemned Pakistan’s “preposterous” claims that India was attacking its own religious sites, such as the Gurudwara in Poonch, which Pakistan itself targeted, resulting in the deaths of local Sikh community members, including a Ragi. Misri also refuted Pakistan’s allegations about attacks on Nankana Sahib, calling them part of a disinformation campaign to incite communal discord. Additionally, Pakistan’s artillery shelling in Poonch damaged a Christian missionary school and a convent, killing two students and injuring others, further highlighting the indiscriminate nature of its attacks.
Ceasefire and Its Continuous Violations
Hours after a much-anticipated ceasefire agreement was announced between India and Pakistan, reports of firings and drone sightings across border areas, from Srinagar and Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir to Barmer in Rajasthan and Kutch in Gujarat, have cast a shadow over the fragile truce. The violations, occurring shortly after the 6:00 PM announcement on Saturday, underscore Pakistan’s questionable intentions and the deep-seated trust deficit that continues to challenge the durability of the ceasefire.
In a late-night briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan’s actions as a “breach of understanding,” signalling India’s readiness to respond decisively while urging Islamabad to honour the agreement with seriousness. As tensions simmer, the Indian armed forces remain on high alert, tasked with countering any further provocations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border.
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