The Pakistani government publicly acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that its military bases were damaged during India's assault in May this year. In April 2025, terrorists aligned with Pakistan brutally massacred 26 civilians in Pahalgam's Baisara Valley. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, demolishing nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed in a press briefing that India targeted the Noor Khan Airbase located in Chaklala, Rawalpindi. This attack damaged the airbase and injured several Pakistani Air Force personnel stationed there. Dar claimed that within 36 hours, India deployed multiple drones across Pakistan's borders, of which Pakistan shot down 79 out of 80. One drone struck the Noor Khan Airbase, leading to damage and injuries to some personnel.
India Struck Noor Khan Airbase: Dar
According to Ishaq Dar, a crucial meeting was held on the night of May 9 under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's leadership, where strategic decisions were approved. Dar stated that on the morning of May 10, India attacked the Noor Khan Airbase, prompting Pakistan to take retaliatory measures. He mentioned that efforts to end the conflict were initiated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal, adding, 'We never wanted war.'
Source: aajtak
The Noor Khan Airbase is a crucial facility for the Pakistan Air Force. During Operation Sindoor, India targeted 11 pivotal military bases in Pakistan, including Noor Khan. Other targets included the Sarghoda, Rafiqui, Jacobabad, and Muridke airbases, showcasing India's strategic military motives during the operation, which were publicly acknowledged by Dar.
Pakistan Honors 138 Soldiers with Posthumous Awards for Valor
Retired Indian Army Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon responded to Ishaq Dar's statements, labeling him a 'habitual liar.' According to Lieutenant General Dhillon in an interview with ANI, Pakistani media outlet Sama TV published a list of 138 soldiers awarded posthumously on Pakistan's Independence Day, August 14, 2025, who perished in Indian offensives during Operation Sindoor. They were posthumously awarded bravery medals.
Source: aajtak
Dhillon stated, 'If 138 Pakistani soldiers received posthumous honors, implying casualties during Operation Sindoor ranged between 400 and 500, with their Noor Khan base engulfed in flames. Pakistani citizens shared footage on social media. All their 11 airbases sustained significant damage in Indian strikes, with separate images and videos as evidence, yet they persist in denying.'
Shortly after Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif acknowledged India's attack on the Noor Khan Airbase. He revealed that Army Chief General Asim Munir called him at 2:30 AM on the night of May 9-10, informing him of the attack. In July, Sharif's advisor Rana Sanaullah also confirmed that India's BrahMos cruise missile was aimed at Noor Khan Airbase during Operation Sindoor, and Islamabad had merely 30 to 45 seconds to assess whether the missile was nuclear-armed.
Source: aajtak
Satellite Images Reveal Damage to PAK Airbases
Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies dated May 13 revealed extensive damage to several Pakistani airbases, including Noor Khan. The satellite images exposed destruction at Noor Khan (Rawalpindi), Mushaf (Sarghoda), Bholari (Karachi), and Shahbaz (Jacobabad) airbases. Comparisons of satellite images taken before (April 25, 2025) and after (May 10, 2025) the Indian attack highlighted significant damage across Pakistan's four key airbases, particularly Noor Khan Airbase. Pakistani military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry stated that the Indian Air Force targeted Noor Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Muridke (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases during a press conference held in Islamabad around 4 AM on May 10, 2025.
