NYT report highlights New Delhi’s ‘clear edge’ in conflict, says India’s strikes crippled key Pakistan airbases

Satellite images by Maxar Technologies

India appears to have emerged with a clear upper hand in the recent four-day military confrontation with Pakistan, according to a New York Times report, citing high-resolution satellite imagery which confirmed that Indian strikes inflicted significant damage on key Pakistani military facilities, despite Islamabad’s attempts to downplay the impact.

While both countries engaged in a barrage of drone and missile strikes across borders and deep into each other’s territories, and each side claimed major successes in the information war that followed, objective visual evidence has now begun to paint a more grounded picture of the military reality — one that tilts in India’s favour.

“An examination of satellite imagery indicates that while the attacks were widespread, the damage was far more contained than claimed — and mostly inflicted by India on Pakistani facilities,” stated the report, based on satellite images by Maxar technologies and Planet Labs.

Among the most telling examples is Pakistan’s Nur Khan airbase, situated just miles from the army’s headquarters, the Prime Minister’s office, and critically, the Strategic Plans Division — the unit responsible for safeguarding Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Indian strikes targeted key infrastructure at the base, reportedly damaging runways and facilities. Satellite imagery from the aftermath confirmed visible damage, underscoring the sophistication and accuracy of the Indian offensive.

Pakistan’s Sensitive Airbases Took the Hit

The Bholari airbase near Karachi also bore the brunt of Indian precision firepower. Indian defence officials stated that an aircraft hangar was targeted, and visuals confirmed that the structure had indeed sustained damage consistent with a direct hit.

At Sargodha airbase in Punjab province, two sections of the runway were reportedly struck by Indian precision weapons. Though Pakistan attempted to conceal the extent of the damage, satellite visuals verified structural impairment, validating India’s operational claims.

Another notable incident involved Rahim Yar Khan airbase, where Pakistan was compelled to issue a public Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on May 10 declaring the runway non-operational — a clear sign of successful Indian disruption of air operations.

“Where India appears to have had a clear edge is in its targeting of Pakistan’s military facilities and airfields, as the latter stretch of fighting shifted from symbolic strikes and shows of force to attacks on each other’s defense capabilities,” the New York Times report stated.

Pakistan’s Claims Don’t Match the Damage

In contrast, Pakistan’s narrative of its counterstrikes — claiming hits on two dozen Indian military installations, including the reported “destruction” of the Udhampur airbase — appears overstated when held up against satellite verification, as per the report.

On the intervening night of May 6-7, Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on at last nine locations, demolishing several terror launch pads in Pakistan and PoK, terming it 'Operation Sindoor'.

This led to further escalation as Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks, which were neutralised by India's robust air defence system. India responded by hitting military installations and air defence systems located in prominent Pakistani cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi among others. The two countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart.