logo
Satellite images of Pakistan's ravaged airbases surface, after India's precision strikes

Satellite images of Pakistan's ravaged airbases surface, after India's precision strikes

Hans India11-05-2025

As Pakistan continues to remain in denial over India hitting its military installations and airbases with precision, the satellite images have started coming to the fore, exposing its bluster and hollow claims.
Satellite images procured by a Chinese firm, MIZAZVISION, show the damage at Pakistan's Noor Khan airbase, one of its most strategic airstrips. The satellite images show disabled infrastructure and also support vehicles grounded on the site.
Nur Khan airbase, located in Rawalpindi, is in close proximity to the Pakistan Army's headquarters. The Indian strikes came as a symbolic blow to Pakistan, exposing the gaps in Pakistan's air defence system and also its inability to defend this high-value target.
Notably, India's targeted strikes on multiple Pakistani airbases, as part of Operation Sindoor, inflicted heavy damage, dismantling its ability to launch strikes and also dealt a strategic and psychological blow to its defence establishment.
Jacobabad airbase was another airstrip to have suffered destruction. The satellite images released by an Indian firm (KAWASPACE) spotlight the damage at the Jacobabad Airbase. As per the images, the hangar on the airbase's main apron looks ravaged, while the ATC building is also suspected to have suffered damage.
In separate imagery by the KAWASPACE, the damage at Pakistan's Bholari Airbase has been spotlighted. As per the image, a hangar looks damaged, with debris visible along with structural damage.
The satellite images of devastation at Pakistani airbases were shared by an X user.
Notably, India's coordinated and precision strikes on these airbases delivered a strategic knockout to Pakistan's aerial capabilities. It not only disabled Pakistan's ability to fight but also deterred it from contemplating further aggression.
The destruction of Pakistan's air bases also sent an unambiguous message that any act of provocation or aggression against India will turn out to be catastrophic for it.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China silent about lifting export curbs on rare earth metals amid growing concerns in India, world
China silent about lifting export curbs on rare earth metals amid growing concerns in India, world

Time of India

time23 minutes ago

  • Time of India

China silent about lifting export curbs on rare earth metals amid growing concerns in India, world

China, which holds the global monopoly over the precious rare earth metals needed for manufacturing of phones, automobiles and missiles, continues to play hardball over lifting export restrictions of the precious metals warding off pressures from a host of countries, including, the US, EU and India. "China's export control measures are consistent with universal practices," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said responding to a question during a media briefing here on Thursday that Japanese automaker Suzuki has suspended production of its main small cars in Japan because of delays due to rare earth restrictions. "Such measures are non-discriminatory and not targeted at any particular country," he said, adding that the question should be directed to competent authorities. This is the second-time this week that Lin deflected a question on the growing global concerns over the restrictions over exports of Chinese rare earth metals. On Tuesday, he evaded a question about reports that executives and representatives of the car industry in Europe, the US and India expressed concern that China's rare earth export controls are creating the risk of shortages that could lead to the stoppages in production soon, saying that the question should be addressed to competent authorities. Reports from Tokyo on Thursday said Suzuki Motor halted production of its Swift model cars in Japan from May 26 due to China's rare earth restrictions. Reports in recent weeks from India too spoke of growing concerns among the automobile manufactures about scarcity about rare earth magnets, which are critical components in electric vehicles (EVs) and even some parts of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. Also, China's export restrictions of the rare earths specially germanium, a critical mineral that is used in manufacturing of semiconductors, fibre optic cables and solar panels, has sparked concerns in India among the respective industries. Officials of India as well as many other countries say they are engaged with the concerned ministries and departments. Rare earths are a group of metals consisting of 17 elements. Though present in several counties, their extraction is costly and messy causing massive amounts of pollution. According to the International Energy Agency, currently China accounts for 61 per cent of global mined rare earth production, but controls 92 per cent of the global output. China's exports restrictions of rare earths which were imposed in June last year through a decree by Premier Li Qiang reportedly became stricter since US President Donald Trump imposed 146 per cent tariffs on Chinese exports. This week, the European Union (EU) urged China to stop restricting the export of rare earth minerals and magnets, with the bloc's trade chief saying its industries are in an "alarming situation", the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Thursday. The request was made during a meeting between the sides' top commerce officials in Paris on Tuesday. It comes as sectors across Europe raise the alarm about a shortage of rare earths, which are used to manufacture hi-tech goods ranging from electric cars and smartphones to military tanks and aircraft. "I informed my Chinese counterpart about the alarming situation in the European car industry, but I would say industry as such because clearly rare earths and permanent magnets are absolutely essential for industrial production," EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said on Wednesday, briefing reporters a day after his meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

Mehul Choksi's bank accounts, shares attached by Sebi over ₹2.1 crore dues
Mehul Choksi's bank accounts, shares attached by Sebi over ₹2.1 crore dues

Hindustan Times

time24 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Mehul Choksi's bank accounts, shares attached by Sebi over ₹2.1 crore dues

Markets regulator Sebi has ordered the attachment of bank accounts and shares and mutual fund holdings of absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi to recover dues totalling ₹2.1 crore in a case of violation of insider trading rules in the shares of Gitanjali Gems. The latest move followed a demand notice issued to Choksi on May 15, warning attachment of assets as well as bank accounts if he failed to make the payment within 15 days. The demand notice came after Choksi failed to pay the fine imposed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in January 2022 in a case of violation of insider trading rules in the shares of Gitanjali Gems Ltd. Choksi, who was the chairman and managing director as well as part of promoter group of Gitanjali Gems, is the maternal uncle of Nirav Modi. Both are facing charges of defrauding state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) of more than ₹14,000 crore. Both Choksi and Modi fled India after the PNB scam came to light in early 2018. In April, Choksi was arrested in Belgium following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies. He was located in Belgium last year when he went there for getting medical treatment. He had been staying in Antigua since 2018 after leaving India. Modi was arrested by the Scotland Yard Police in March 2019 and is currently in jail in that country. In an attachment notice dated June 4, Sebi said the pending dues of ₹2.1 crore include the initial fine of ₹1.5 crore and interest of ₹60 lakh. To recover the dues, Sebi asked all the banks, depositories -- CDSL and NSDL -- and mutual funds not to allow any debit from the accounts of Choksi. However, credits have been permitted. Further, Sebi has directed the banks to attach all accounts, including lockers, held by the defaulter. Initiating the recovery proceedings, Sebi said there is sufficient reason to believe that Choksi may dispose of the amounts in the bank accounts, mutual fund folios and securities in the demat accounts held with the depositories and "realisation of the amount due under the certificate would, in consequence, be delayed or obstructed". In its order passed in January 2022, the regulator imposed a penalty of ₹1.5 crore on Choksi and restrained him from the securities market for one year. Sebi had found that Choksi communicated unpublished price sensitive information to one Rakesh Girdharlal Gajera, who sold his entire shareholding of 5.75 per cent in Gitanjali Gems in December 2017 with the intention of avoiding loss ahead of any event which may lead to disclosure of fraudulent issuance of LoUs (letter of undertaking) to Gitanjali Group and magnitude in public domain. It was noted that fraudulent LoUs were issued on behalf of entities belonging to the Gitanjali Group, including GGL. "Noticee no. 1 (Choksi) was found to have communicated UPSI (unpublished price sensitive information) to Noticee no. 2 (Gajera) without any underlying legal obligation or any legitimate purpose," Sebi had said in its final order. Through such activities, the two persons had violated the provisions of the PIT (Prohibition of Insider Trading) rules. In May 2023, Sebi sent a notice to Choksi directing him to pay ₹5.35 crore in a case pertaining to fraudulent trading in the shares of Gitanjali Gems.

How China gained control over the global rare earth minerals supply chain
How China gained control over the global rare earth minerals supply chain

Business Standard

time25 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

How China gained control over the global rare earth minerals supply chain

The alarm has been intensifying in the past few weeks as global automakers, including major German manufacturers, raised concerns over China's export restrictions on rare earth alloys, magnets, and mixtures, warning that the curbs could trigger production delays and operational shutdowns. The latest backlash follows similar complaints from US firms and an Indian electric vehicle producer last week, highlighting the mounting global fallout from Beijing's April decision to suspend outbound shipments of several critical minerals. China has intensified its strategic dominance over the global supply of rare earth elements by adding critical minerals to its export control list, further straining already fragile global supply chains amid rising geopolitical tensions. The move, seen as a direct response to heightened tariffs imposed by the United States, underscores China's decades-long state-led push to monopolise both the mining and, more critically, the processing of rare earth materials—metals that are essential to a range of advanced technologies from electric vehicles to fighter jets. The 1990s strategy that gave China a monopoly Despite being relatively abundant in the Earth's crust, rare earths are rarely found in concentrated deposits and require complex, often environmentally hazardous, refining processes. China's edge lies not only in its 30–36 per cent share of global reserves but in its near-total control of the processing chain, estimated at over 85 per cent of global capacity. Beginning in the 1990s, Beijing classified rare earths as strategic resources, shielding the sector from foreign control and channelling significant state support into extraction and refining. Initiatives like 'Made in China 2025' ensured rare earths remained embedded in the country's high-tech ambitions. Western retreat allowed China to dominate supply chains As the US and other Western nations shut down domestic operations over cost and environmental concerns, China ramped up investment. It perfected the solvent extraction method, a process initially developed in the US but later abandoned due to regulatory and environmental challenges. By the early 2000s, China produced up to 97 per cent of the world's rare earths and began restricting exports, simultaneously driving up global prices and encouraging foreign manufacturers to relocate operations to China to secure uninterrupted supply. Export curbs on 7 key elements spark global concern In April, China extended export restrictions on terbium, yttrium, dysprosium, gadolinium, lutetium, samarium, and scandium—seven of the 17 recognised rare earth elements. Each plays a unique role in modern technologies and defence systems. Why terbium, yttrium and dysprosium matter globally Terbium: Vital for smartphone displays and aircraft magnets. China exports 85 per cent to Japan, just 5 per cent to the US. Yttrium: Used in medical lasers and superconductors. US relies 93 per cent on China. Dysprosium: Key for EV magnets and wind turbines. Majority goes to Japan and South Korea. Gadolinium: Common in MRI scans and reactor cores. Lutetium: Used in oil refining, mainly imported by the US. Samarium: Strategic for military-grade magnets and nuclear use. Scandium: Critical for aerospace; no US production in 50+ years. Japan, US, EU scramble to reduce China dependency China's move is expected to hit countries that are already struggling to build independent rare earth supply chains. According to Chinese customs data, Japan remains the largest buyer of these restricted materials, followed by South Korea and the US. Global supply chain diversification faces uphill battle In response, nations are accelerating efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese supply. Australia's Lynas Rare Earths is expanding its Malaysian plant. The EU is funding scandium production, and the US has revived mining at the Mountain Pass facility in California—though the ore is still sent abroad for processing. Yet such initiatives face formidable challenges. China's low production costs, lenient environmental standards, and strong vertical integration give it a lasting competitive edge.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store