Pakistan has launched a rapid reconstruction effort at its strategic Nur Khan Airbase near Islamabad, following devastating Indian airstrikes during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, according to new satellite imagery accessed by NDTV. The airbase, located less than 25 km from Pakistan’s capital and a key hub for the Pakistan Air Force’s air mobility operations, was targeted on May 10, with India destroying two special-purpose trucks believed to be command-and-control units for drone operations, alongside significant damage to surrounding structures.
The Indian Air Force’s precision strikes, likely using BrahMos missiles launched from Su-30 fighters and SCALP missiles from Rafale jets, obliterated the targeted complex, leaving adjacent buildings heavily damaged. Satellite images from May 10, 2025, reveal the destruction of the trucks and collateral damage, while a May 17 image shows the site cleared. Fresh imagery from September 3, 2025, indicates active reconstruction, with new wall segments mirroring the original layout, possibly utilizing intact foundations, as noted by geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon. “The rebuild suggests Pakistan’s intent to restore operational capacity at this critical site,” Symon said.
Nur Khan, situated near the Pakistan Army’s headquarters, houses vital assets like Saab Erieye airborne early warning systems, C-130 transport aircraft, and IL-78 refueling planes, making the Indian strike both tactical and symbolic. The attack was part of India’s response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, revealed at the NDTV Defence Summit that operational planning began within days, with strikes finalized by May 6. On May 7, the IAF launched calibrated attacks, penetrating up to 200 km into Pakistan— the deepest since the 1971 war— targeting terror centers, radars, runways, and aircraft hangars.
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The strikes forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire on May 10. The ongoing reconstruction at Nur Khan underscores Pakistan’s efforts to recover critical capabilities, but the swift Indian operation has left a lasting mark on its strategic infrastructure, highlighting India’s military precision and resolve.
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