Pakistan planning to relocate Army HQ from Chaklala after Indian strikes: Sources

Pakistani army chief General Asim Munir

Pakistan is considering relocating its Army's General Headquarters (GHQ) from Rawalpindi's Chaklala to Islamabad, days after Indian strikes inflicted heavy damage on the Nur Khan air base, News18 has reported quoting sources.

Satellite images following the strikes by India indicated that at least two military transport vehicles were damaged at the strategic air base. Other satellite pictures from Chinese firm MIZAZVISION and India’s Kawa Space suggested that the base suffered extensive structural damage, with fuel trucks and warehouse roof getting destroyed. The debris can be seen scattered near the runway.

Earlier, reports said that Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir was moved to a fortified bunker within the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi in the early hours of Saturday following the precision strikes.

News18 had earlier reported that Pakistan was planning to shift the operational base following the attack.

The strategic Nur Khan airbase is located just 10km from Pakistan's capital Islamabad and serves as a highly sensitive military compound. It houses multiple transport squadrons, aerial refueling units, and PAF College Chaklala, a training ground for future air force leaders.

It also has critical assets such as Saab Erieye surveillance systems, IL-78 refuelling aircraft, and C-130 transporters, the report said.

The base also lies in close proximity to the headquarters of Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, which oversees and secures the country’s nuclear arsenal—now estimated to comprise 170 or more warheads. These warheads are believed to be spread across various locations throughout the country.

India's move to strike 11 Pakistani airbases with BrahMos, HAMMER and SCALP missiles—an action even bigger in scale than Operation Sindoor—triggered serious concerns in the neighbouring country.

The attack on the Nur Khan base was seen as the turning point in the escalating conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.