 "Rahim Yar Khan air base hit by an Indian missile. Image Courtesy: CNN-News18")
India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed on Saturday (May 10) evening after United States President Donald Trump’s announcement on social media. This comes after the Indian Armed Forces carried out “precision attacks” on several of Pakistan’s military targets early today. This was in response to Islamabad launching attacks at 26 locations along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) last night.
Pakistan also fired missiles at several air bases in Punjab last night, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said in a press briefing today. “In a swift and calibrated response, Indian Armed Forces carried out precision attacks only on identified military targets. These included technical infrastructure, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon storage areas,” she said.
The targeted Pakistani military sites included Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian. Singh said India ensured “minimum collateral damage” while retaliating against Pakistan’s offensive.
But why were these sites chosen? What’s their significance? We will answer.
Nur Khan air base, Chaklala
India targeted the Nur Khan air base in the garrison city of Rawalpindi’s Chaklala. The air base houses Pakistan’s Saab Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet. The C-130s and IL-78 aircraft are also stationed there, as per ThePrint report.
The Nur Khan air base is reportedly the headquarters of Pakistan’s Air Mobility Command. It is crucial for strategic operations and VIP transport.
The air base has played a key role in Pakistan’s cross-border drone and missile attacks in the last 72 hours, officials in the Indian Air Force (IAF) told NDTV.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSeveral of Pakistan’s prominent squadrons are based here. The hitting of the Nur Khan air base is a big jolt for the neighbouring country.
Murid air base
India chose the PAF Murid base likely because it became the hub for Pakistan’s drone operations against India since May 7, when the Indian Armed Forces carried out the missile strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Located in Chakwal city of Pakistan’s Punjab, it reportedly hosts several PAF squadrons operating UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle).
Pakistan has sent hundreds of drones towards the Indian border areas in the past few days. India has intercepted these and found that nearly 400 were Turkey-made Songar drones that Pakistan dispatched at 36 locations in India across the western border — from Leh to Sir Creek.
By targeting this air base, India has hit at the heart of Pakistan’s drone warfare against it.
Rafiqui air bases
Rafiqui air base, earlier known as PAF Base Shorkot, in the Jhang district of eastern Punjab in Pakistan, houses advanced fighter jets like Mirage and JF-17.
Pakistan could have launched its recent attacks against India from the Rafiqui air base, which acts as a training centre for missions in Punjab and Kashmir, reported NDTV.
Rahim Yar Khan
Rahim Yar Khan air base is at a strategically important location in southern Punjab of Pakistan. The forward operating base is close to the border with Rajasthan.
Its location helps in swift deployment and operations across southern and eastern Pakistan, noted India Today.
Sources told ThePrint that an Indian missile left a huge crater in the middle of the runway at the Rahim Yar Khan military base.
Sukkur air base
Located in Sindh, the Sukkur air base is close to the PAF Base Bholari. Its location is reportedly useful for operations in southern Pakistan and parts of the Sindh and Balochistan regions.
Chunian air base
Situated near the town of Chunian in Punjab, Chunian air base is one of the Pakistan Air Force’s primary operational bases.
Sources told ThePrint that the aim of striking these specific locations was not just to disable Pakistan’s air defence locations but also to send a message.
With inputs from agencies