KEY POINTS
- Massive explosions rocked three key Pakistani air bases—Nur Khan near Islamabad, Murid in Chakwal, and Rafiqui in Jhang.
- Pakistan shut down its entire airspace for civilian and commercial flights after India accused it of using civil airliners as shields during its drone operations.
- In a strong retaliatory move, the BSF destroyed a terrorist launch pad in Pakistan's Sialkot.
In a dramatic and unprecedented escalation, multiple Pakistani air bases were rocked by powerful explosions early Saturday morning. The most significant blast occurred near the capital, Islamabad, prompting the Pakistani government to shut down its entire airspace for civilian and commercial aircraft. The developments come just hours after India successfully repelled a large-scale drone offensive launched by Pakistan across its northern and western borders.
Major Explosions Reported at Key Pakistani Air Bases
The Pakistani military confirmed that three of its air force installations were hit: Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, Murid Air Base in Chakwal, and Rafiqui Air Base in Jhang district, Punjab. Of these, the Nur Khan facility, formerly known as Chaklala Air Base, is especially significant. Located less than 10 kilometres from Islamabad, it sits adjacent to Pakistan’s military headquarters and is considered one of the country’s most sensitive military compounds.
Eyewitnesses described loud, successive explosions at the Nur Khan base, followed by frantic military movement on the ground. Several videos circulated on social media appearing to show the base on fire.
What Are These Bases and Why Do They Matter?
The Nur Khan Air Base primarily handles VIP transport and logistics operations. It plays a crucial role in high-level military and political mobility, making it a vital node in Pakistan’s defence infrastructure.
The Murid Air Base in Chakwal is Pakistan’s main centre for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations. It hosts a range of drones including the indigenously developed Shahpar I for surveillance, the NESCOM Burraq UAV for armed strikes, and Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2s, which gained notoriety for their effectiveness in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Recently, Murid also began deploying the Turkish Akinci-L—a high-altitude, long-endurance combat drone, indicating its strategic expansion into advanced drone warfare.
The Rafiqui Air Base in Shorkot, Punjab province, is a frontline fighter jet facility. It houses Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder aircraft (jointly developed with China), French Mirage 5 fighters, and Alouette III helicopters. This base plays a major role in aerial combat readiness and offensive capabilities.
Pakistan Shuts Down Its Entire Airspace
In a move rarely seen outside of wartime, Pakistan closed its entire airspace for commercial traffic on Saturday. The decision was communicated via a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), halting all civilian and international airliners from entering or exiting the country’s skies.
This drastic step followed sharp criticism from India, which accused Pakistan of using civil airliners as cover while executing drone and missile operations. Indian military officials alleged that Pakistan allowed commercial flights to operate near the Line of Control during its drone assault, putting innocent international passengers at risk.
Addressing the media, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army said, “Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response. This is not safe for the unsuspecting civil airliners, including the international flights which were flying near the international border between India and Pakistan.” She was joined by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in a joint briefing that underlined the severity of the situation.
The Drone Attack: What India Faced and How It Responded
The explosions in Pakistan came just hours after India successfully neutralised a large-scale drone offensive launched from across the border. Between the night of May 8 and the early hours of May 9, Pakistan reportedly launched between 300 and 400 drones in a coordinated attempt to strike multiple Indian military installations. The attack spanned 26 locations, ranging from Leh in Ladakh to Sir Creek in Gujarat.
India responded with layered air defence systems including the Barak-8 and S-400 Triumph missile platforms, Akash surface-to-air missiles, and advanced indigenous anti-drone technologies. Electronic warfare systems were also deployed to jam and disable incoming threats. The drones used by Pakistan were initially identified as Turkish-origin Asisguard Songar models, capable of carrying small explosive payloads. The majority of the drones were intercepted and neutralised before they could reach their targets.
India’s Measured but Firm Response: BSF Hits Terror Launch Pad
While India managed to thwart the drone threat, it also responded decisively on the ground. Following unprovoked firing by Pakistan Rangers late Friday night around 9 pm, the Border Security Force (BSF) confirmed that it had destroyed a terrorist launch pad in Pakistan’s Sialkot district.
#WATCH | Pakistani Posts and Terrorist Launch Pads from where Tube Launched Drones were also being launched, have been destroyed by the Indian Army positioned near Jammu: Defence Sources
(Source – Defence Sources) pic.twitter.com/7j9YVgmxWw
— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2025
The launch pad, located in the Looni area across from Jammu’s Akhnoor sector, was identified as a key staging ground for infiltration attempts and cross-border terror operations. “The terrorist launch pad at Looni was completely destroyed,” said the BSF in an official statement, adding that India remains committed to neutralising threats to its sovereignty from across the border.
What This Means: A New Chapter of Escalation
The events over the past 48 hours mark a serious escalation in India-Pakistan tensions. The combination of drone warfare, missile threats, and ceasefire violations now involves not just conventional military assets, but also advanced UAV technology and the misuse of civilian infrastructure for military operations.
India has placed its armed forces on high alert along the northern and western borders. Key military bases, airfields, and civilian airports are under enhanced surveillance, while diplomatic channels remain active to brief international stakeholders on Pakistan’s conduct.
The damage to Pakistan’s strategic air bases, especially Murid and Rafiqui, signals a potential setback to its drone and fighter aircraft capabilities. Meanwhile, India’s ability to intercept hundreds of drones with minimal disruption showcases the strength of its air defence network. This situation remains highly fluid, and further developments are likely as both sides reassess their strategic positions.
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