In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory campaign launched by India in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, claims have emerged regarding the loss of a Pakistani Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft at Bholari Airbase. While details remain contested, reports suggest that the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted precision strikes on multiple Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airbases on May 10, 2025, including Bholari, as part of Operation Sindoor.
Bholari Airbase, situated in Sindh's Jamshoro district near Hyderabad, is considered one of Pakistan's newest and most strategically important airbases, operational since December 2017. It houses several squadrons, including those operating F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets, along with Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft. Its location near Karachi and the Arabian Sea makes it vital for air defense and maritime operations.
Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies, analyzed with advanced edge detection algorithms, has revealed significant damage to a hangar at Bholari Airbase following the Indian strikes. The imagery indicates the presence of an aircraft, potentially an F-16 or a Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS, inside the heavily damaged hangar. Some reports speculate that a Saab 2000 Erieye, undergoing maintenance at the time of the strike, was the likely target, given the hangar's size and strategic importance. The destruction of a high-value asset at Bholari, whether an F-16 or Saab 2000, represents a major setback for the PAF.
Pakistani authorities have confirmed that five PAF personnel, including Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, were killed in the strike, though they have not specified material losses. However, other reports indicate higher casualties, with some suggesting over 50 fatalities. The loss of an AWACS platform would significantly impair Pakistan's air defense network, especially in the southern sector. The Erieye system, mounted on a SAAB 2000 aircraft, is crucial for airborne surveillance and command, providing an extensive view of airspace. The destruction of the Saab-2000 Erieye AWACS aircraft represents a critical blow to Pakistan’s air defence and surveillance capabilities. Pakistan operates a fleet of nine Saab-2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.
Operation Sindoor involved coordinated precision strikes on multiple PAF airbases, reportedly executed using BrahMos air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs). These strikes targeted key infrastructure to degrade Pakistan's offensive air and drone capabilities. Besides Bholari, other airbases targeted included Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur and Sialkot. The strikes reportedly destroyed around 20% of Pakistan Air Force's infrastructure and also damaged several of their fighter aircraft.
The attack also exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan's air defense network. Satellite imagery confirmed the destruction of three AN/TPS-77 radars at other PAF bases, further impairing Pakistan's early warning capabilities. The failure to detect or intercept incoming BrahMos missiles at Bholari suggests gaps in Pakistan's radar coverage and counter-missile defenses.
The Indian strikes on Pakistani airbases have triggered a wide range of reactions. Some reports indicate that the damage was far more contained than claimed, and appeared mostly inflicted by India on Pakistani facilities. Other reports suggest that the strikes focused on important sites such as ammunition depots and air bases, including Sargodha and Bholari, where Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets were stationed.
