Why India hit Pakistan’s most critical airbases: Nur Khan, Murid, Rafiqui, Sukkur and others

Screengrabs from a video posted by @adgpi via X on May 10, 2025, visuals of Operation Sindoor in light of the ongoing military conflict between India and Pakistan

In a dramatic escalation of cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian armed forces, in the wee hours of Saturday, launched retaliatory airstrikes on 11 Pakistani airbases.

Speaking at a joint press conference of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi detailed the scope of the strikes, describing them as “precise, calibrated operations” aimed at degrading Pakistan’s offensive air and drone capabilities.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that Pakistan military targets at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian were engaged using air-launched precision weapons from our fighter aircraft.

"Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation base were also targeted using precision munitions. While carrying out these responses, India ensured minimum collateral damage," she said.

Among the key Pakistani airbases struck were:

Nur Khan Airbase (Chaklala, Rawalpindi)

Located just 10 km from Islamabad, the Nur Khan Airbase, formerly RAF Station Chaklala, serves as one of Pakistan’s most sensitive military compounds. Surrounding the erstwhile Benazir Bhutto International Airport, the base handles both military operations and VIP transport missions. It houses multiple transport squadrons, aerial refueling units, and PAF College Chaklala, a training ground for future air force leaders.

It is believed, as per reports, India’s precision strike on the Nur Khan Airbase significantly shifted the momentum on the battlefield.

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Murid Airbase (Chakwal, Punjab)

Situated in the Chakwal district, the Murid airbase has recently become a central hub for Pakistan’s drone warfare capabilities. This base operates advanced UCAVs and UAVs such as the Shahpar-1 and Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2, which have been used in reconnaissance and strike missions against Indian positions over the past two days.

Indian military officials described the strike on Murid as a direct retaliation for the swarm of drones launched from this base.

Rafiqui Airbase (Shorkot, Jhang District)

Named after 1965 war hero Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, this base houses JF-17 Thunder and Mirage fighter jets, along with support helicopters. Its central Punjab location allows rapid deployment across Pakistan’s eastern and western fronts, making it a key node in the country's air defence system.

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Sukkur Airbase/PAF Base Bholari (Sindh)

Situated between Karachi and Hyderabad, PAF Base Bholari is one of Pakistan’s newer operational airbases. Falling under the Southern Air Command, it is home to the 19 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), operating F-16A/B Block 15 ADF aircraft.

Sialkot Airbase (Eastern Punjab)

Located near the Indian border, Sialkot Airbase was swiftly neutralized at the outset of the conflict. It had served as a forward base for launching sorties targeting Jammu and Punjab. Its loss created a major vulnerability along Pakistan's eastern frontier, leaving Pakistani ground forces exposed to India's air superiority.

Sargodha Airbase (Mushaf Base)

The destruction of Sargodha was a major strategic blow. As Pakistan’s most vital airbase, housing the Combat Commanders School, nuclear delivery systems, and elite squadrons, its neutralisation significantly disrupted Pakistan's command and control capabilities. This strike not only crippled their military operations but also challenged the invulnerability of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Pasrur Airstrip (Punjab)

Although smaller in size, Pasrur Airstrip played a crucial role in emergency aircraft operations and dispersal. India's successful strike on this facility diminished Pakistan's operational flexibility, forcing their aircraft to consolidate at more exposed and high-profile bases.

Skardu Airbase (Gilgit-Baltistan)

Neutralising Skardu Airbase weakened Pakistan’s surveillance and air operations in the northern sector, particularly near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It also severed logistical ties that could have facilitated Chinese-Pakistani coordination in the Himalayas, shifting the strategic advantage in the region to India.

Bholari Airbase (Near Karachi)

Bholari, one of Pakistan’s newest airbases designed for both naval and air roles, symbolised the country’s ambitions for southern military dominance. Its destruction severely undermined Pakistan's coastal defence capabilities and disrupted future force projection plans, leaving Karachi more vulnerable to potential strikes.

Chunian Airbase (Punjab)

Roughly 70 km south of Lahore, Chunian Airbase is a vital operational site supporting both fighter and support aircraft. With a primary runway and emergency taxiway system, the base maintains operational readiness even under attack.

Jacobabad Airbase (Sindh-Balochistan)

The neutralisation of Jacobabad Airbase further isolated western Pakistan. Traditionally used for rapid troop deployments and previously used by the US armed forces during its war on terror, the destruction of this airbase has now hindered Pakistan’s mobility and air surveillance in the region, cutting off critical supply chains and limiting internal defence coordination.

New Delhi and Islamabad, on Saturday evening, agreed to halt firing and military operations along the LoC, signaling a temporary pause in hostilities. The ceasefire understanding came into effect following nearly 100 hours of heavy military clashes, including artillery duels, drone strikes, and airspace violations.

The latest flare-up between India and Pakistan marks one of the most intense and deadly episodes of cross-border tension in decades.

Triggered by the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives, the conflict rapidly escalated into nearly three weeks of sustained hostilities. Heavy artillery exchanges, drone incursions, and targeted airstrikes pushed the two nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of a full-scale confrontation.