Key Pakistan airbase remains crippled 3 months after Op Sindoor strike; closure extended again

Rahim Yar Khan airbase//Pakistan

It has been well over three months since India inflicted heavy damage on Pakistan's Rahim Yar Khan airbase and the facility continues to remain unoperational due to ongoing repair work.

Pakistan has yet again issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), extending the closure of the runway to August 29, 2025.

Independent satellite imagery expert Damien Symon posted the notice on X, saying that the repair work is yet to be completed.

"Even as imagery indicates repair work is ongoing since the first week of Aug 2025, Pakistan once again issues a NOTAM for Rahim Yar Khan, the runway struck by India in May 2025 indicating its now offline till 29 Aug 2025 (estimated)," Symon posted on X.

Even as imagery indicates repair work is ongoing since the first week of Aug 2025, Pakistan once again issues a NOTAM for Rahim Yar Khan, the runway struck by India in May 2025 indicating its now offline till 29 Aug 2025 (estimated) pic.twitter.com/mcWtO2yZzR

— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) August 22, 2025

Pakistan has issued multiple NOTAMs extending the closure of the airbase that was struck hard by India during the intense four-day military conflict in May.

The Indian Air Force's precision strike the airbase had created a massive crater — nearly 19 feet across (43-foot diameter) — in the middle of its sole runway, rendering the facility unusable. Satellite images later confirmed the damage caused by the strikes.

The images reveal extensive structural damage to hangars and apron areas of the airbase, with debris strewn across the site.

Due to the heavy damage, Pakistan has not been able to restore the sole runway at the airbase.

Rahim Yar Khan Airbase is located in southern Punjab, Pakistan and is a strategically positioned military air facility operated by the Pakistan Air Force.

While not officially acknowledged as a major base, it has reportedly been used for both conventional deployments and contingency operations during periods of heightened tensions with India.

The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).

In subsequent military clashes with Pakistan, India struck several airbases deep inside Pakistan, forcing the country to push for a ceasefire. Rahim Yar Khan was one of the airbases struck by Indian missiles.