On early Saturday, Pakistan said that Indian missiles attacked three of its key airbases. In the early hours of May 10, 2025, Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry addressed a press conference in Islamabad, claiming that Pak Air Force bases Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal and Rafiqui in Jhang district became targets of India’s retaliatory measures. No other evidence or details were provided at the time to support these claims.

Subsequently, an ANI report suggested that the number of India’s Pakistani airbase targets had mounted to at least four. Reacting to India’s “calibrated response” to Pakistan, government officials told The Indian Express was not all about a rigorous air defence. The Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and its counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) grid, and long-range precision weapons also sought to a launch a measured offensive action. These strikes at four Pakistani air defence sites reportedly even led to one’s destruction.

These recent developments come amid current escalating tensions between India and Pakistan that date back to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks in Kashmir, which killed 26 innocent people. Weeks after the gut-wrenching tragedy, India launched Operation Sindoor as a retaliatory measure, triggering further counter-attacks from Pakistan’s side.

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Pakistan airbases reportedly attacked by Indian missiles

According to a Reuters report, most of the missiles in question were intercepted, and Pakistan subsequently launched its own strikes under the name ‘Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos.’ Indian airbases in Pathankot and Udhampur eventually became Pakistan’s targets. “This is a provocation of the highest order,” said Sharif.

The Nur Khan airbase in the garrison city of Rawalpindi is about 10 km from the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. As a major military installation, it also encompasses the former Benazir Bhutto Internation Airport.

Meanwhile, the Murid airbase, which falls under the jurisdiction of the country’s Northern Air Command, has a 9,000-ft runway. Turkish drones —  Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci — have reportedly been harboured there.

Lastly, the Rafiqui airbase, located near Shorkot in Jhang district, is 337 km south of Islamabad. It has a 10,000-ft runway and an emergency taxiway system.

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Defence sources reportedly offered visuals of the Indian missiles destroying ‘Pakistani Posts and Terrorist Launch Pads.” ANI alluded to them, stating, “Pakistani Posts and Terrorist Launch Pads from where Tube Launched Drones were also being launched, have been destroyed by the Indian Army positioned near Jammu,” in an X post. Footage of the scenes highlighted in the tweet were also attached to the post.