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India Today
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Clear satellite pics show extensive damage to Pak bases after Indian strikes
Very high-resolution commercial satellite images of air bases in Pakistan that were targeted by India during Operation Sindoor on May 10 reveal extensive damage, showing the impact of precision strikes carried out by the armed forces. The strikes at the strategic military sites of Pakistan are believed to have pushed a rattled Shehbaz Sharif-led government to approach India for a ceasefire after three days of satellite images collected by Maxar on May 10 and 11, exclusively accessed by India Today, show in detail the damage inflicted at the air bases in Sukkur (Sindh), Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Rahim Yar Khan (southern Punjab), Mushaf in Sargodha, Jacobabad (northern Sindh), and Bholari (northern Thatta district).The images show that the Indian airstrikes left large craters on runways and damaged aircraft hangars and administrative and store buildings at key military bases in Pakistan. Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot were also targeted using precision munitions. The Indian retaliation came after Pakistan attempted air intrusions at more than 26 locations on May BASE, SUKKURSukkur Airbase, a forward operational base of the Pakistan Air Force, also functions as the Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport, making it the second major civilian airport in Sindh after Karachi's Jinnah International satellite image shows one of the two aircraft shelters completely damaged at this KHAN AIR BASELocated within 10km of the Pakistan Army Headquarters (General Headquarters, GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Nur Khan Airbase in Chaklala houses PAF transport aircraft such as Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Ilyushin Il-78 refuellers, and trainers such as of satellite imagery by open-source researcher Damien Symon indicates damage to at least two military transport YAR KHAN AIR BASEThe Indian strike created a massive crater of around 19 feet in radius on Rahim Yar Khan's sole runway. Debris can be seen littered around the crater that measures nearly 43 feet in the strike, Pakistan has suspended all flight operations at the dual-use airport for a week. Day-to-day operations at the airport are handled by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).PAF BASE MUSHAF, SARGODHAIndian missile strikes left two large craters on the runway of the Mushaf Airbase, with one measuring around 15 feet in radius, rendering it non-operational, the satellite imagery shows. The strike left a relatively smaller crater of around 10 feet in radius at the intersection of the runway. Damage to some transport vehicles can also be Airbase is regarded as the crown jewel of the Pakistan Air Force — housing its most advanced fighter jets, and critical institutions such as the Central Air Command, the Combat Commanders' School, and the Airpower Centre of American F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Chinese Chengdu J-7, the French Mirage 5, and the JF-17 Thunder are among the advanced aircraft stationed AIRPORTOnce a crucial hub for NATO during Operation Enduring Freedom - the official name for the US-led Global War on Terror — the Jacobabad Airbase remains strategically vital for hosts some of the Pakistan Air Force's most advanced assets, including the latest JF-17 Block II jets, various F-16 Fighting Falcon variants, and Italian-made Leonardo AW139 helicopters operated by the 88 Search and Rescue media reports also indicate the presence of private contractors at the base who provide maintenance support for the American F-16 satellite images show that the Indian Air Force struck a hangar at the Pakistan Air Force Airbase Shahbaz in AIR BASEBholari is among Pakistan's newest airbases, housing JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Fighting Falcon, as well as Saab 2000 AEWACs (airborne early warning and control aircraft) fitted with the Erieye radar high-resolution satellite image suggests a damaged hangar where aircraft are kept. Some aircraft were likely damaged too, at the Bholari Watch
Mint
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Operation Sindoor: 8 Pakistani Air Force Bases India wreaked havoc on with ‘precision strikes'
After Operation Sindoor which hit 9 terror hotbeds in Pakistan and PoJK on May 7 as a justice to those who were killed in Pahalgam terrorist attack, India hit Pakistan airbases with precision strikes on May 10 as a result to counter their shelling and attack across border areas. 'Pakistan targeted our schools, colleges, gurdwaras, temples and homes of civilians... our military installations... but this just led to the country being exposed. The world saw that Pakistan's drones and missiles got scattered like straws... India's air defence system destroyed them in the sky. Pakistan had prepared to attack India at its border, but India struck the heart of Pakistan. India's missiles and drones harmed airbases that Pakistan was very proud of,' PM Modi stated yesterday in his address to the nation. PAF Base Nur Khan, Rawalpindi This crucial air base is near to Pak Army HQ and home to the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) Air Mobility Command, including the PAF College Chaklala, one of Pakistan's most important. It plays a central role in logistics, VIP transportation, strategic missions, and the training of aviators. It has PAF transport aircraft like Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Ilyushin Il-78 refuellers, including trainers such as Karakoram-8. In 2012, PAF Base Chaklala was rechristened PAF Base Nur Khan to honour Air Marshal Nur Khan, who served as the base's first Pakistani commander in 1947 and later led the Pakistan Air Force from 1965 to 1969. Nur Khan airbase in Pakistan before and after attack 2. PAF Base Sukkur, Sukkur This forward operational base of the PAF also functions as Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport Sukkur, serving as the second major civilian airport in Sindh after Karachi's Jinnah International Airport. It plays a vital role in providing air connectivity to northern Sindh. Sukkur airbase in Pakistan before and after attack 3. PAF Base Murid, Chakwal Murid base serves as the primary hub for Pakistan's expanding fleet of combat drones and stands as one of the PAF's key forward operational flying bases today. It hosts over eight hangars that accommodate various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the locally developed GIDS Shahpar and NESCOM Burraq, the Chinese Chengdu Wing Loong II, and the Turkish Bayraktar TB2. 4. PAF Base Rahim Yar Khan, Rahim Yar Khan Indian strike damaged the runway; the base has been closed for repairs. Rahim Yar Khan base, a forward operational base under the PAF's Central Command, shares its only runway with Sheikh Zayed International Airport. The airport is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the UAE, who financed the construction of its terminal. Daily airport operations are managed by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). Following an Indian airstrike that created a large crater in the runway, all flight operations have been non-operational for one week. Rahim Yar Khan before and after attack 5. PAF Base Shahbaz, Jacobabad It is an important NATO base during War on Terror, significant for Pak's F-16s. The Jacobabad base, extensively utilised by NATO forces during Operation Enduring Freedom, the official name for the US, led Global War on Terrorism, hosts some of the Pakistan Air Force's most advanced aircraft and equipment. These comprise the latest JF-17 Block II, multiple variants of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the Italian Leonardo AW139 helicopters of the 88 Search and Rescue Squadron. Jacobabad before and after attack 6. PAF Base Mushaf, Sargodha Regarded as the most crucial strategic asset of the Pakistan Air Force, the Sargodha base houses the country's top fighter aircraft and pilots. It also serves as the headquarters for the Central Air Command, the Combat Commanders' School, and the Airpower Centre of Excellence. Aircraft like the American Chinese Chengdu J-7, French Mirage 5, and the JF-17 Thunder, F-16 Fighting Falcon, the mainstay of PAF's fighter fleet developed jointly with China, are placed at the base. During the 1965 war, the Sargodha base was a key target of Indian air strikes, resulting in the destruction of 10 Pakistani aircraft. In response, the Pakistan Air Force shifted its strategy, holding back a significant portion of its fighter fleet to defend Sargodha instead of deploying them to the front lines. Sargodha before and after attack 7. PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot It is situated 337 km to the south of Islamabad. The base hosts squadrons of JF-17s, Mirage 5s, and the French Alouette III utility helicopters. It is named in honour of Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, one of Pakistan's most highly decorated fighter pilots, renowned for his heroism during the 1965 war. 8. PAF Base Bholari, Jamshoro Inaugurated in December 2017, this is Pakistan's newest and one of its most advanced main operational air bases. It houses squadrons of JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, along with Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft equipped with the Erieye radar system. In 2020, the base hosted a major joint aerial exercise between Pakistan and China. The radar sites and air defence units include Pasrur, Punjab, Sialkot district, Sialkot, Punjab, Chunian, Kasur district, Punjab, Lahore, Punjab and Malir Cantt, Karachi, Sindh.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Operation Sindoor: All about Pakistan Air Force assets that India hit
PAF Base Nur Khan, Rawalpindi Home to the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF's) Air Mobility Command and the PAF College Chaklala, this is one of Pakistan's most vital air bases, which plays a key role in logistics, VIP transport, strategic operations, and aviator training. The base houses PAF transport aircraft such as Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Ilyushin Il-78 refuellers, and trainers such as Karakoram-8. With the Pakistan Army's General Headquarters and the Strategic Plans Division — the operational arm of the country's nuclear command — in the vicinity, the base lies at the heart of the Pakistani military establishment. PAF Base Chaklala was renamed PAF Base Nur Khan in 2012, in honour of Air Marshal Nur Khan, the base's first Pakistani commander in 1947 who went on to lead the Pakistan Air Force from 1965 to 1969. PAF Base Murid, Chakwal The Murid base is the home base of Pakistan's growing fleet of combat drones, and one of the PAF's most important forward operational flying bases today. Its more than eight hangars house unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the indigenously developed GIDS Shahpar and NESCOM Burraq, the Chinese Chengdu Wing Loong II, and the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and PAF Base Sukkur, Sukkur This is another forward operational base of the PAF which doubles as the Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport Sukkur, the second major civilian airport operational in Sindh after Karachi's Jinnah International Airport. Originally built as a military aerodrome during World War II, the Sukkur base operates under PAF's Southern Air Command PAF Base Rahim Yar Khan, Rahim Yar Khan The Rahim Yar Khan base is a forward operational base of the PAF's Central Command. Its sole runway is also used by the Sheikh Zayed International Airport, named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the UAE, who funded the construction of the airport's terminal. Day-to-day operations at the airport are handled by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). After India's strike at the air base, which has left a massive crater on its runway, all flight operations have been suspended for a week. PAF Base Mushaf, Sargodha Considered to be the most vital strategic asset of the PAF, the Sargodha base is home to Pakistan's best fighter aircraft and pilots, as well as the headquarters of the Central Air Command, the Combat Commanders' School, and the Airpower Centre of Excellence. Aircraft such as the American F-16 Fighting Falcon, Chinese Chengdu J-7, French Mirage 5, and the JF-17 Thunder, the mainstay of PAF's fighter fleet developed jointly with China, are stationed at the base. The Sargodha base was a prime target of Indian air attacks during the 1965 war, during which India destroyed 10 Pakistani aircraft at the base. After this, the PAF reserved much of its fighter fleet to protect Sargodha rather than sending them to the front. The base was renamed in 2003 in honour of Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir who had died in an aircraft crash earlier that year. PAF Base Shahbaz, Jacobabad Heavily used by NATO forces during Operation Enduring Freedom, the official moniker of the US-led Global War on Terrorism, the Jacobabad base is home to some of PAF's most advanced aircraft and equipment. These include the latest JF-17 Block II, multiple variants of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the Italian Leonardo AW139 helicopters of the 88 Search and Rescue Squadron. According to local media reports, the base also houses private contractors who work on the American F-16s. PAF Base Rafiqui, Shorkot Located 337 km to the south of Islamabad, this base is a vital asset of PAF's Northern Air Command. It is home to squadrons of JF-17, Mirage 5, and the French utility helicopter Alouette III. The base is named in honour of Sq Ldr Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, one of Pakistan's most decorated fighter pilots, famous for his exploits during the war of 1965. PAF Base Bholari, Jamshoro Inaugurated as recently as December 2017, this is one of Pakistan's most modern main operational bases. It is home to squadrons of both the JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Fighting Falcon, as well as Saab 2000 AEWACs (airborne early warning and control aircraft) aircraft fitted with the Erieye radar system. In 2020, the base hosted Exercise Shaheen IX, a major joint Pakistani-Chinese aerial exercise Radar sites and air defence units India also struck at least three radar sites in Pakistan's Punjab province, close to the border with the Indian state of Punjab and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, as well as two air defence units — one in Lahore and the other in Malir Cantonment, Karachi. These were all likely a part of Pakistan's larger air defence system.
