 "Pakistan's fantasies of hitting Indian air bases exposed by satellite image analyst")
In the weeks following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has repeatedly claimed it inflicted significant damage on Indian military infrastructure, including airbases and high-value defense systems.
But a detailed analysis by independent satellite imagery analyst Damien Symon suggests those claims are unfounded, with multiple images found to be either doctored or misrepresented.
Symon, who has been examining the visuals circulated by Islamabad, said that assertions made by Pakistani officials and media — including strikes on a Sukhoi fighter jet and an S-400 air defense unit — do not hold up against verified satellite data.
Adampur airbase: No Sukhoi hit
One of Pakistan’s most prominent claims involved a purported strike on a Sukhoi-30MKI at the Adampur airbase in Punjab. An image shared by pro-Pakistan accounts showed what appeared to be a burn mark near a jet.
However, Symon confirmed the image pre-dated the conflict and the jet was not a Sukhoi but a MiG-29 undergoing maintenance. The dark patch near the aircraft was engine soot, not bomb damage.
New report alleges a direct hit at India's Adampur Air Base by Pakistan damaged a Su-30, however a review reveals this image taken in March 2025, pre-conflict actually shows a MiG-29 undergoing maintenance, the dark soot near the engine test pad is routine, not battle damage pic.twitter.com/GOC1NVRX9I
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) June 8, 2025
Bhuj airbase: No damage to S-400
Another claim pointed to an alleged strike on an S-400 system at Bhuj airbase in Gujarat. Imagery showed dark patches on the ground, described as missile impact zones. Symon said the marks were oil stains in a vehicle yard, not missile craters. The image was also captured before the hostilities began.
An image is being circulated now as a Pakistan destroyed S-400 radar in India, a review however indicates it's likely just oil stains at Bhuj military base's vehicle service yard, also the image predates the recent Indo-Pak conflict as it was taken in February 2025 pic.twitter.com/Y850jfk4n9
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) June 6, 2025
In a separate instance, Pakistan alleged missile damage to an S-400 battery at Adampur. Satellite photos used to support this were digitally edited, with black dots added to simulate craters. Symon compared them with current, unedited images, which showed no such damage.
Naliya airbase: Cloud shadow, not bomb damage
Another claim involved an image from Naliya airbase that allegedly showed scorched ground from a bombing raid. Symon identified the darkened area as a cloud shadow on the runway, not damage from an attack.
A new image of Naliya Airbase in India, dated 12 May 2025 is being circulated highlighting the darkening of soil around the runway as damage, however verification of the image reveals a shadow of a cloud overhead as the reason behind this apparent discoloration on ground pic.twitter.com/Xt0YyHFV1o
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) May 15, 2025
Srinagar airport: No visible impact
A blurry image of Srinagar airport was circulated online to support claims of a Pakistani strike. High-resolution satellite imagery from multiple sources and dates, however, showed no damage to the civilian apron or surrounding areas.
An image now circulating claims to show damage at Srinagar Airport as a result of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, however, a review with multiple recent images shows inconsistencies, no such damage is found at the airport, this image was likely manipulated or misinterpreted pic.twitter.com/MwMYBwRnUg
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) June 2, 2025
Chinese satellite firm cited in false claim
Adding to the narrative, Pakistan shared imagery from a Chinese satellite company to assert damage at Adampur airbase. Symon said the alleged damage was a pre-existing mark visible in older satellite captures.
Chinese released image of Adampur airbase, India - dated 12 May 2025, find only vehicle tracks in the target area shared by Pak ISPR, report no damage, once again leading to an inconclusive result regarding the strike on this location pic.twitter.com/IInEBVYrvW
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) May 15, 2025
Jammu airport: Another false claim
Visuals claiming damage at Jammu airport showed darkened spots near the runway, which Symon’s analysis debunked.
Post-strike satellite images confirmed the airport remained undamaged. The circulated image had been digitally manipulated, he said.
Chinese released image of Adampur airbase, India - dated 12 May 2025, find only vehicle tracks in the target area shared by Pak ISPR, report no damage, once again leading to an inconclusive result regarding the strike on this location pic.twitter.com/IInEBVYrvW
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) May 15, 2025
Prime Minister visit signals normalcy
Shortly after Operation Sindoor, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adampur airbase, and photographs from the event showed the absence of any substantial damage and directly challenging Pakistan’s narrative.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
