Pakistan Acknowledges Damage from India’s Operation Sindoor

Pakistan has officially confirmed that India’s Operation Sindoor, conducted in May, inflicted significant damage on its military facilities. This acknowledgment follows a series of precision strikes launched by India in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. The confirmation was made by Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, during a year-end press briefing.

Details of the Strike

During the operation, Dar revealed that Indian drones targeted the Nur Khan Air Base located in Rawalpindi’s Chaklala area. He stated that the attack led to damage at the military installation and injuries to personnel stationed there. According to Dar, over a short span of 36 hours, at least 80 drones crossed into Pakistani airspace, with Pakistani forces managing to intercept 79 of them. Nonetheless, one drone successfully struck the military site.

The Pakistani leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened on the night of May 9 to assess the situation and formulate a response. Dar noted that India “made the mistake” of attacking the air base in the early hours of May 10, reiterating the strike’s confirmation.

Broader Implications of Operation Sindoor

The Nur Khan Air Base is one of the key facilities for the Pakistan Air Force and was one of 11 air bases targeted during Operation Sindoor. Other locations affected by the strikes included bases in Sargodha, Rafiqui, Jacobabad, and Muridke. The operation commenced on May 7, 2023, as a retaliatory measure following the April terror attack, initially directing strikes at nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir before targeting significant military installations.

In response to Dar‘s statements, Indian Army veteran Lt Gen (Retd) KJS Dhillon dismissed claims of “minor damage” and “minor injuries.” He accused Dar of misleading the public, asserting that the extent of destruction was much greater than reported. Citing a list from Pakistani media outlet Samaa TV, he pointed out that 138 individuals were posthumously awarded gallantry honors for their roles in Operation Sindoor, implying higher casualties than those officially acknowledged by Pakistan.

Furthermore, videos circulated by civilians showed the Nur Khan Air Base engulfed in flames, suggesting extensive damage to the facility. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif previously confirmed the attack, stating that Army Chief General Asim Munir had informed him of the developments during the night of May 9 and 10.

In July, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah disclosed that Pakistan had a narrow window of 30 to 45 seconds to determine whether incoming missiles from India were nuclear-armed. Satellite imagery from May indicated considerable damage across several Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan, Mushaf in Sargodha, and others.

The Pakistani government had also acknowledged on May 10 that Indian missiles and drones had targeted three air bases, including Nur Khan, reinforcing the impact of these military operations on regional security dynamics. This admission marks a significant moment in the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, highlighting the heightened risks and complexities surrounding their military engagements.