India Strikes Six Pakistani Airbases in Major Retaliation

New Delhi – In a strong retaliatory move, India carried out precision airstrikes on six key Pakistani Air Force (PAF) bases — Rafiqui, Sukkur, Murid, Chunia, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan — following a wave of drone attacks launched by Pakistan earlier this week. An Indian official confirmed the strikes on Saturday, stating that Pakistan’s military infrastructure, including the radar site at Pasrur and the Sialkot Aviation Base, was also targeted.

Among the most significant of these targets was the Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi, just 10 kilometers from Islamabad. Known for hosting both VIP and PAF operations, Chaklala is considered one of Pakistan’s most sensitive airbases. According to defense experts, striking this base sends a clear signal that even Pakistan’s core military assets are within India’s range. The base, once critical during the 1965 and 1971 wars for aerial refueling and transport missions, remains vital to the PAF’s strategy.

On Friday night, the Indian Air Force struck the Murid airbase in Chakwal, aiming to disable drone launch facilities believed to be responsible for recent combat drone attacks on Indian territory. The base houses PAF squadrons trained to operate drones like the Shahpar-2 and Bayraktar TB2. Hitting this site could significantly hinder Pakistan’s ability to launch future drone assaults.

The Sukkur airbase in Sindh’s Jamshoro district, home to F-16s, JF-17 jets, and SAAB 2000 AEW&CS aircraft, was also targeted. Other bases hit include Rafiqui airbase in Shorkot, housing Mirage jets and attack helicopters, Chunian airbase near Lahore, and the Rahim Yar Khan base in southern Punjab — a key hub for missions targeting India’s Rajasthan region.

During a media briefing on Operation Sindoor, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that India ensured minimum collateral damage during these strikes. She clarified that the operation was part of a broader strategy launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.

Operation Sindoor, initiated on Wednesday, aims to eliminate terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) while avoiding escalation into a larger military conflict. The strikes mark a significant shift in India’s approach, combining precision targeting with a clear message of deterrence.