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The Print
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Indian strikes on Pakistan larger & deadlier than what Pakistan has portrayed
A runaway at another critical airbase has been left non-operational for the next few months, at least with the kind of impact that the Indian missiles have made. According to initial inputs received so far, at least one transport plane of Pakistan has been destroyed, while two other critical aircraft have suffered moderate to severe damage. New Delhi: Contrary to what the Pakistan military has claimed, the late-night Indian attack on military installations across the border was larger and deadlier, ThePrint has learnt. Sources in the defence establishment said that the Indian missiles that struck inside Pakistan were fired from positions well within the Indian airspace and outside the engagement range of Pakistan's China-supplied air-to-air missiles, demonstrating deep strike capability. While the sources refused to identify which missiles were used, they said the speed and the manoeuvrability aspect of the missiles ensured that they managed to hit the intended targets with pinpoint precision. In a late-night statement, the Pakistani military's information wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG, General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, alleged India had targeted the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi district), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot, Jhang district) air bases. However, the full extent of Indian targets was revealed during a press conference in the morning, held by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. 'After Pakistan deliberately targeted air bases, Indian armed forces took a quick and well-planned retaliatory action and targeted technical installations, command and control centres, radar sites and arms stores,' Colonel Qureshi said. She added that Pakistan military bases at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian were targeted through air launch, precision ammunition and fighter jets. 'Radar site in Pasrur and the aviation base in Sialkot were also targeted with precision ammunition. During these actions, India ensured minimum collateral damage and losses.' Sources said that the biggest setback for Pakistan took place at the Nur Khan air base, where Squadrons No. 6, 10, 12, and 41 are based. This is a VVIP-cum-transport aircraft base. The aircraft there include C-130s and Pakistan's only two IL-78 refuellers, besides the Saab Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet. The other big setback has been at Rahim Yar Khan, where an Indian missile left a huge crater right in the middle of the runway. Sources said that if India wanted, they could have taken out some of the fighter aircraft standing there, but chose to just hit the runway to give Pakistan a view of their capabilities. Sources also said that the aim of the loitering munitions and drone strikes that have taken place in the last three days inside Pakistan was not just to disable their air defence locations, but to send them a message by targeting certain locations. (Edited by Sanya Mathur) Also Read: Smoke, shrapnel & debris—in Punjab's Bathinda, Pakistan's attempted attacks leave a trail
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First Post
10-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Did India's strike on 6 Pakistan airbases lead to ceasefire talks?
After four days of escalation, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire. This comes after India struck six Pakistani air bases – Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian – early Saturday. The 'precision attacks' came after the Pakistani military launched strikes at over 20 locations along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC), as well as air bases in Punjab read more India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed on Saturday (May 10) evening after United States President Donald Trump's announcement on social media. This comes after the Indian Armed Forces carried out 'precision attacks' on several of Pakistan's military targets early today. This was in response to Islamabad launching attacks at 26 locations along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) last night. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan also fired missiles at several air bases in Punjab last night, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said in a press briefing today. 'In a swift and calibrated response, Indian Armed Forces carried out precision attacks only on identified military targets. These included technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas,' she said. The targeted Pakistani military sites included Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian. Singh said India ensured 'minimum collateral damage' while retaliating against Pakistan's offensive. But why were these sites chosen? What's their significance? We will answer. Nur Khan air base, Chaklala India targeted the Nur Khan air base in the garrison city of Rawalpindi's Chaklala. The air base houses Pakistan's Saab Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet. The C-130s and IL-78 aircraft are also stationed there, as per ThePrint report. The Nur Khan air base is reportedly the headquarters of Pakistan's Air Mobility Command. It is crucial for strategic operations and VIP transport. The air base has played a key role in Pakistan's cross-border drone and missile attacks in the last 72 hours, officials in the Indian Air Force (IAF) told NDTV. Several of Pakistan's prominent squadrons are based here. The hitting of the Nur Khan air base is a big jolt for the neighbouring country. Commuters drive through a street in the cantonment area near Nur Khan air base after Indian strikes, in Rawalpindi, on May 10, 2025. AFP Murid air base India chose the PAF Murid base likely because it became the hub for Pakistan's drone operations against India since May 7, when the Indian Armed Forces carried out the missile strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Located in Chakwal city of Pakistan's Punjab, it reportedly hosts several PAF squadrons operating UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle). Pakistan has sent hundreds of drones towards the Indian border areas in the past few days. India has intercepted these and found that nearly 400 were Turkey-made Songar drones that Pakistan dispatched at 36 locations in India across the western border — from Leh to Sir Creek. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By targeting this air base, India has hit at the heart of Pakistan's drone warfare against it. Rafiqui air bases Rafiqui air base, earlier known as PAF Base Shorkot, in the Jhang district of eastern Punjab in Pakistan, houses advanced fighter jets like Mirage and JF-17. Pakistan could have launched its recent attacks against India from the Rafiqui air base, which acts as a training centre for missions in Punjab and Kashmir, reported NDTV. Rahim Yar Khan Rahim Yar Khan air base is at a strategically important location in southern Punjab of Pakistan. The forward operating base is close to the border with Rajasthan. Its location helps in swift deployment and operations across southern and eastern Pakistan, noted India Today. Sources told ThePrint that an Indian missile left a huge crater in the middle of the runway at the Rahim Yar Khan military base. Sukkur air base Located in Sindh, the Sukkur air base is close to the PAF Base Bholari. Its location is reportedly useful for operations in southern Pakistan and parts of the Sindh and Balochistan regions. Chunian air base Situated near the town of Chunian in Punjab, Chunian air base is one of the Pakistan Air Force's primary operational bases. Sources told ThePrint that the aim of striking these specific locations was not just to disable Pakistan's air defence locations but also to send a message. With inputs from agencies
The Print
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Pakistan launches Operation Bunyan un Marsoos against India, Indian air defence in action
Pakistan's operations came hours after India struck at least three air bases inside Pakistan. Among these damaged sites is the Pakistan military's primary logistics hub, the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, which is protected by Chinese air defence systems. Initial reports from the ground, however, indicate no major damage. The copy will be updated as confirmed reports come in. New Delhi: Pakistan has launched Operation Bunyan un Marsoos against India, targeting military installations in Jammu, Kashmir and Punjab. The offensive involves surface-to-surface missiles and loitering munitions. The operation's name, drawn from a Quranic verse, means 'unbreakable wall'. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the chief of Pakistan's military information wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a late-night statement that Indian missiles and drones targeted Pakistan Air Force's Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi district), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot, Jhang district) air bases. Pakistan Air Force Squadrons stationed at the Nur Khan base are No. 6, 10, 12, and 41, and they operate a host of logistics and other aircraft fleet like the C-130s and IL-78s, besides the Saab Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. The Murid base is where Pakistan's drone squadrons are based, including Turkish armed ones such as the Bayraktar TB2. The Rafiqui base is where Pakistan has certain squadrons of JF-17 and Mirage fighter planes, besides some utility helicopters. India carried out strikes on Pakistani airbases after it tried to hit the Indian Air Force's Sirsa air base with a surface-to-surface missile, which was taken down by Indian air defence assets. Talking about Pakistan's operation against India, sources in the defence establishment told ThePrint that certain munitions fell near important installations in Srinagar and Jammu, and even some religious places in Jammu. However, there has been no direct hit, with the Indian Air Defence system in full action. The Indian Army in a post on X said that 'Pakistan's blatant escalation with drone strikes and other munitions continues along our western borders. In one such incident, today at approximately 5 AM. Multiple enemy armed drones were spotted flying over Khasa Cantt, Amritsar. The hostile drones were instantly engaged and destroyed by our air defence units. Pakistan's blatant attempt to violate India's sovereignty and endanger civilians is unacceptable. #IndianArmy will thwart enemy designs.' Pakistan media, meanwhile, continues to claim huge success for its forces against India. But sources that ThePrint spoke to have denied the claims, saying that they 'were exaggerated 10x'. IAF officials have also described Pakistan's claim of hitting the S-400 as 'fake news'. As several conflicting reports continue to emerge, ThePrint is withholding putting out any unverified information. (Edited by Zoya Bhatti) Also read: ISPR says main logistics hub in Rawalpindi among 3 Pakistan Air Force bases targeted by Indian missiles
The Print
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
ISPR says main logistics hub in Rawalpindi among 3 Pakistan Air Force bases targeted by Indian missiles
General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the ISPR DG, claimed as per information coming in all Pakistan Air Force assets remain safe. 'Continuing its naked aggression, India some time back has fired air-to-surface missiles with its jets. Pakistan military's information wing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the explosions, blaming them on an Indian missile attack. ISPR DG in a late night statement said India has targeted the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi district), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot, Jhang district) air bases. New Delhi: Explosions were reported in the early hours of Saturday from three Pakistan air bases including the military's primary logistics hub the Nur Khan base in Rawalpindi, hours after Pakistan launched a fresh wave of drones and loitering munitions targeting several Indian cities, and particularly the Sirsa air base of the Indian Air Force (IAF). PAF Nur Khan base, PAF Murid base and Shorkot base were targeted. According to information till now, all PAF assets are safe,' Pakistani daily Dawn quoted him as saying. Incidentally, several purported videos posted by Pakistani citizens on various social media platforms showed what appeared to be a ball of fire at at least two bases including Nur Khan. Indian officials remain mum on the ISPR's claims, but maintain that there will be a briefing later in the day to apprise the country on the developments. Pakistan Air Force Squadrons stationed at the Nur Khan base are No. 6, 10, 12, and 41. The aircraft which are based there include C-130s and IL-78, besides the Saab Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet. Incidentally, hours before these blasts, Pakistan launched a fresh wave of drones and loitering munitions targeting at least 26 locations along the northern and western sectors, ranging from Baramulla in J&K to Bhuj in Gujarat—states along the International Border and Line of Control. These included suspected armed drones posing potential threats to civilian and military targets, said the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Among cities targeted were Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala. The Indian Army added that 'an armed drone targeted a civilian area in Ferozepur, resulting in severe injuries to members of a local family'. This is a developing story (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: Orders for Pahalgam satellite images from US firm peaked two months before attack
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Congressmen decry turning Fairfield base into ‘mass deportation center'
(KRON) — Two congressmen sent a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following reports that the Trump administration is considering using Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield as an immigration detention facility and mass deportation center. U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) are calling the Travis Air Force Base plan 'outrageous.' 'It's outrageous and inappropriate for the Trump Administration to use Travis Air Force Base as an immigration detention facility,' the congressmen wrote. Travis Air Force Base is known as the 'Gateway to the Pacific' because of its its geographical location and mission for transporting for military personnel and equipment around the world. Earlier this year, Garamendi's office sent a letter demanding answers from the Department of Defense regarding the use of C-17s and C-130s from Travis Air Force Base to deport undocumented immigrants. Travis-AFB-LetterDownload 'Unfortunately, this is not the President's first attempt to inappropriately utilize Travis Air Force Base, hampering its critical mission. In February, we uncovered that Trump was using Travis's military aircraft to transport undocumented individuals. Now, the President wants to turn Travis into a mass deportation center. All these instances compromise our national security and are simply absurd,' the congressmen wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
