India Destroyed 3 Pakistani Air Bases in Retaliatory Strikes: Nur Khan Air Base, Murid Air Base, Shorkot Air Base

The Pakistani armed forces have asserted that the explosions took place at three air force facilities, one of which is the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, a strategic location less than 10 kilometres from Islamabad and near the country’s military headquarters. The Pakistani military says that apart from the Nur Khan air base (Rawalpindi), the Murid air base in Chakwal city and the Shorkot air base in the Jhang district of Punjab province have also been attacked.

India Destroyed 3 Pakistani Air Bases in Retaliatory Strikes

May 10, 2025, Pakistan asserted that India attacked three of its air bases in retaliatory attacks after Operation Sindoor. There has not yet been an official report from the Indian side confirming these very strikes on Pakistani air bases.

Destructive explosions were witnessed early Saturday at several Pakistani air bases, including a strategic facility close to the capital, Islamabad, which led the Pakistani government to close the country’s airspace to all civilian and commercial flights. Several explosions were also heard in Srinagar this morning, hours after India had repelled Pakistani drone attacks.

The Three Airbases

Nur Khan Air Base (Rawalpindi)

The Nur Khan base, previously called Chaklala Air Base, is one of Pakistan’s most sensitive military bases. It contains air force operations and VIP transport units. It is a key Operational hub for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air mobility and VIP transport.

Murid Air Base (Chakwal)

Located close to the village of Murid in the Chakwal District of Punjab province, Pakistan. Under the control of Pakistan’s Northern Air Command. Used mainly by the PAF as a forward operating base. It has emerged as a critical node for Pakistan’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) operations.

Shorkot air base (PAF Rafiqui air base, Jhang)

Situated close to Shorkot in Punjab province’s Jhang District, some 337 km south of Islamabad. It is assigned under Central Air Command as No. 34 (Tactical Attack) Wing. Formerly PAF Base Shorkot. Renamed after Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, a Pakistani fighter pilot who fought in the 1965 India-Pakistan War.
A large military base and one of Pakistan’s main fighter airbases. It is home to several operational units. A frontline base with JF-17 and Mirage III/5 squadrons.

Pakistan attempted to target Punjab air base with high-speed missile at 1.40 am

Missile attack by Pakistan: Islamabad using civil flights as cover

The government, speaking at a special briefing on the missile attack in Pakistan on 10th May 2025, averred that Islamabad was still utilising civil flights as cover for its sinister deeds. The government further stated that the armed forces have been answering effectively to all of Pakistan’s attacks.

The government informed that the Pakistani army is demonstrating signs of combat readiness since they’re being relocated to the front lines to intensify the ongoing war. The armed forces have reacted accordingly, the government continued.

Accusing Pakistan of targeting civilians, the government informed that the armed forces launched precision strikes only on military targets in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos

Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos is what Pakistan has termed its retaliatory operations against India, which began on Saturday, May 10, 2025, after India’s Operation Sindoor.

The meaning of the operation, is refers to “a structure firmly joined together” or “a solid wall cemented with molten lead,” comes from a Quranic verse, signifying unity, strength, and steadfastness in battle.

List of Temporarily Suspended Airports by India

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the concerned aviation authorities have released a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) declaring the closure of 32 airports in northern and western India for all civil flight operations, from 9th to 14th May 2025 (corresponding to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), on account of operational considerations. The below-listed airports are subject to this NOTAM:

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has also prolonged the temporary shut-down of 25 portions of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes in the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) owing to operational reasons.

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