ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI – Explosive new satellite imagery has confirmed the devastating impact of India’s Operation Sindoor, revealing massive destruction at Pakistan’s highly strategic Nur Khan Airbase. The latest visuals suggest the Indian Air Force’s precision strike was far more destructive than initially reported—obliterating an entire complex, not just two special-purpose trucks.
The Intel Lab, a global open-source intelligence platform, released high-resolution satellite imagery showing that the strike footprint was significantly larger than previously assessed. Defence analyst Damien Symon shared the images on social media platform X, stating:
“A review of Nur Khan Airbase reveals the entire complex near India’s strike site has now been demolished, suggesting a broader and deeper impact of the attack.”
A Blow to Pakistan’s Military Nerve Centre
Carried out between May 8 and 10, the airstrike struck at the heart of Pakistan’s air operations. Nur Khan Airbase, located just 25 km from Islamabad, is no ordinary military installation. It serves as a nerve centre for Pakistan’s drone warfare, VIP transport, and airborne early warning systems. Assets housed at the base include:
- Saab Erieye AEW&C systems
- C-130 transport aircraft
- IL-78 aerial refuelling planes
- Bayraktar TB2 and Shahpar-I combat drones
Given its proximity to Pakistan Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the strike is being seen as both a strategic and psychological victory for India—exposing serious lapses in Pakistan’s air defence shield.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Startling Admission
In a rare and revealing public address on Youm-e-Tashakur (Day of Thanks), Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif admitted being woken up in the dead of night by Army Chief General Asim Munir.
“I got a call at 2:30 am. General Munir informed me that India had launched ballistic missiles. One of them had struck Nur Khan Airbase,” Sharif stated.
He claimed Pakistan retaliated by targeting Indian military bases, including Pathankot and Udhampur, though these claims remain unverified by independent sources.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Strategic Message
The Operation Sindoor airstrike has not only inflicted critical damage on Pakistan’s military infrastructure but also delivered a clear strategic message. By striking such a high-value, fortified target deep inside enemy territory, India appears to be asserting a new posture of proactive defence and deterrence.
As fresh details continue to emerge, defence experts believe the attack could mark a turning point in South Asian military dynamics, with Pakistan’s vulnerability now laid bare for the world to see.
