Operation Sindoor: Satellite Images Confirm India’s Precision Strikes on Pakistan’s Airbases and Terror Camps

India Executes Precision Military Strikes Before Ceasefire Agreement

In the early hours of May 10, just before a formal ceasefire agreement was reached between India and Pakistan, the Indian Armed Forces executed a meticulously planned series of strikes across key Pakistani military installations. Dubbed ‘Operation Sindoor,’ the offensive was launched in response to Pakistan’s attempted strikes on 26 Indian military facilities earlier the same day. The Indian counter-offensive, which targeted 11 Pakistani airbases and 9 terrorist camps, was confirmed through satellite imagery released by India’s Ministry of Defence and verified by geo-intelligence experts.

Damien Symon, a geo-intelligence researcher with The Intel Lab, reviewed the before-and-after satellite visuals and affirmed that the strikes were precise and effective. He noted that India’s approach clearly reflected a strategy to neutralize critical military infrastructure while minimizing collateral damage. The airbases targeted included Nur Khan, Sargodha, Shahbaz (Jacobabad), Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Bholari, Rafiqui, Murid, Sialkot, Pasrur, and Chunian.

Critical Military Infrastructure Damaged

At the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, satellite imagery revealed that several vehicles were destroyed and a key operations building sustained visible damage. Sargodha’s airstrip suffered twin hits, rendering it temporarily unusable. The Shahbaz airbase in Jacobabad was struck near a hangar adjacent to the Air Traffic Control tower, which survived intact. Rahim Yar Khan’s runway sustained extensive damage, potentially disabling the base for an extended period. Sukkur’s UAV storage depot suffered significant roof damage, and debris was scattered across the site. The hangar at Bholari airbase, possibly housing early warning systems, was left with serious structural damage.

India also struck radar installations in Pasrur, Chunian, and Arifwala, severely disrupting Pakistan’s early warning and surveillance capabilities. The satellite evidence showed substantial impairment in Pakistan’s ability to monitor and respond to aerial threats, offering a significant advantage to Indian forces in the region.

Terror Camps in Pakistan and PoK Also Targeted

Operation Sindoor extended beyond conventional military targets. On May 7, Indian forces conducted coordinated missile strikes on nine terrorist camps—four in Pakistan (including Bahawalpur and Muridke) and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (including Muzaffarabad and Kotli). These camps were key nodes for terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, responsible for infamous attacks like Pulwama in 2019 and the Mumbai attacks of 2008.

Images released by the Indian military show the Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, an alleged operational headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, heavily damaged. Additional visuals confirm significant destruction at the Muridke terror infrastructure site, with debris and ruins marking the aftermath of the precision strikes.

India’s Kamikaze Drone Attacks Cripple Pakistani Air Defenses

As part of its broader retaliatory framework, India also deployed kamikaze drones between May 7 and 9 to specifically target Pakistan’s air defense systems. These drone attacks neutralized several critical systems, including those around Lahore. In under three hours, India hit 11 airbases, some of which housed F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets. Reports indicate that approximately 20% of Pakistan’s air force infrastructure was destroyed. One of the most notable casualties was Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf, who was killed at the Bholari Air Base, along with four other airmen.

Throughout Operation Sindoor, India maintained strategic restraint while demonstrating superior technological and military capability. Indian officials have emphasized that the operation was not only a show of strength but also a clear message of zero tolerance toward terrorism. The operation, while military in execution, was also diplomatic in its restraint, winning international support for India’s calibrated but forceful response.

Jammu and Kashmir, along with other sensitive border regions, remained largely peaceful on the night of May 11 and 12. As Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level talks are set to take place, the full strategic implications of Operation Sindoor will unfold in the coming days.