In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan has admitted that the Nur Khan Air Base, a key military installation, sustained damage during India’s Operation Sindoor. This admission, a rare departure from Pakistan's typical denial or downplaying of Indian military actions, came during a press conference held by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
Dar confirmed that the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi's Chakala area was struck by Indian missiles as part of Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the death of 26 civilians. He acknowledged that the attack caused damage to the military installation and resulted in injuries to personnel stationed at the base.
According to Dar, the Indian military employed a swarm of drones during the operation. "They (India) send drones towards Pakistan. In 36 hours, at least 80 drones were sent," Dar stated, adding that while Pakistani forces intercepted 79 of the drones, one managed to evade defenses and strike the air base.
The admission is particularly noteworthy given the strategic importance of the Nur Khan Air Base, which is located near Pakistan's military headquarters. The airbase is considered one of the country's most critical air force installations.
The acknowledgment of damage to the Nur Khan Air Base follows earlier reports and satellite imagery indicating destruction at multiple Pakistani air bases. While Pakistan had previously denied or downplayed the extent of the damage, the recent admission suggests a shift in the government's stance.
Lt Gen (Retd) KJS Dhillon has criticized Ishaq Dar's statements, calling him a "compulsive liar". Dhillon refuted the claim that only one drone caused minor damage, asserting that the Nur Khan base was in flames following the Indian strikes. He further stated that 138 Pakistani personnel were posthumously awarded gallantry awards, suggesting a far more severe impact than Pakistan is willing to admit.
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation involved strikes on alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India has maintained that the strikes were targeted and non-escalatory, focused on terrorist infrastructure.
Ishaq Dar revealed that following the Indian strikes, Pakistan's civil and military leadership convened an emergency meeting on May 9 to review the situation and authorize decisions in response. He further stated that India "made the mistake" of attacking the Nur Khan Air Base on May 10, openly conceding that the attack caused damage.
The admission by Pakistan comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged in May that Indian ballistic missiles had hit the Nur Khan Air Base and other locations on May 10.
The strikes also led to a request for a ceasefire from Pakistan to India. According to reports, Saudi Arabia mediated within 45 minutes of the strike, highlighting the urgency with which Islamabad sought to halt further Indian action.
