New Delhi: Satellite imagery indicates that Pakistan has initiated reconstruction at the Nur Khan Airbase following the Indian Air Force’s precision strikes in May, which targeted key military assets near Islamabad. Nur Khan, a strategic PAF hub located less than 25 kilometers from the capital, was among the most significant operational sites affected during Operation Sindoor.
On May 10, Indian missiles targeted two specialized trucks housed within a facility at the airbase. These trucks, believed to be part of command-and-control infrastructure for drone operations, were completely destroyed, along with surrounding buildings that sustained collateral damage. While India has not officially confirmed the missile types used, military analysts suggest the BrahMos cruise missile launched from Su-30 fighters and the SCALP air-launched land-attack missile fired from Rafale jets were likely involved.
Pre- and post-strike imagery revealed the scale of destruction. The trucks and ancillary structures were obliterated, leaving the site cleared by May 17. The latest images from September 3 show new construction activity, including freshly erected walls that replicate the original architectural layout. Geo-intelligence expert Damien Symon noted, “Several surrounding structures were dismantled, likely due to structural weakening or compromised internal systems, while reconstruction is using intact foundations where possible.”
The strikes were seen as both tactical and symbolic, targeting a base integral to Pakistan’s air mobility operations, including the Saab Erieye early-warning systems, C-130 transport aircraft, and IL-78 mid-air refueling planes. These assets are vital for logistics, surveillance, and operational coordination. By disrupting them, the IAF significantly degraded Pakistan’s operational readiness in the days following the strikes.
Operation Sindoor was India’s calibrated response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, explained at the NDTV Defence Summit that operational options were prepared within days of the attack. By May 6, the final strike plan was ready, and the IAF commenced a deep-penetration operation on May 7, striking targets up to 200 kilometers inside Pakistani territory the deepest such attack since the 1971 war.
The operation targeted terror centres, enemy radars, airbase runways, and hangars housing PAF aircraft. The strike on Nur Khan, close to the Pakistan Army headquarters, forced the Pakistani leadership to enter ceasefire negotiations by May 10.
The current reconstruction at Nur Khan demonstrates Pakistan’s intention to restore operational capability at the base. Analysts note that while the rebuild mirrors pre-strike layouts, the airbase remains a highly sensitive site, and the ongoing construction will likely be closely monitored by Indian and international intelligence agencies.