‘80 Drones in 36 Hours’: Pakistan Confirms Strike on Nur Khan Airbase in Operation Sindoor

The Pakistani government has, for the first time, publicly detailed the impact of India's precision military action under Operation Sindoor, acknowledging that a key air force base near Islamabad was struck during the May confrontation between the two neighbours.

The confirmation came from Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, months after Islamabad had largely downplayed the damage caused by Indian strikes.

Speaking at a year-end briefing last week, Dar admitted that Indian drones hit the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi's Chaklala area, injuring personnel and damaging critical infrastructure during the four-day conflict.

Pakistan confirms scale of drone strikes

Dar said the operation involved an intense drone campaign over a short period.

"In 36 hours, at least 80 drones were sent," he said, while claiming that Pakistan's air defences intercepted 79 of them.

"India then made the mistake of attacking the Nur Khan Airbase in the early hours of May 10, prompting Pakistan's retaliatory operation," he added.

India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, following the killing of 26 civilians in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 26.

Mediation claims and ceasefire talks

Dar also addressed diplomatic efforts during the crisis, stating that Pakistan did not seek external mediation. According to him, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan had independently expressed interest in speaking to India.

He claimed Rubio called him on May 10 at around 8.17 am to convey that India was ready for a ceasefire and asked whether Pakistan would agree.

"I said we never wanted to go to war," Dar added.

Dar further said that Prince Faisal later contacted him, sought permission to engage with New Delhi, and subsequently confirmed that a ceasefire had been reached.

Claims of air combat and Kashmir position

During the briefing, Dar also claimed that Pakistan shot down seven Indian fighter jets during air combat on May 7, though he offered no evidence to support the assertion. He reiterated Islamabad's long-standing position that lasting peace in the region is tied to a resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

His remarks marked a shift from Pakistan's earlier public stance, which had avoided acknowledging significant damage from Indian strikes during the conflict.

Zardari recalls bunker advice amid strikes

Dar's admission followed comments by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who revealed that he had been advised to move to a bunker during the hostilities. Addressing a public gathering on Saturday, Zardari said he declined the advice.

"He came to me and said that 'war has begun. Let's go to the bunkers.' But I told him that if martyrdom is to come, it will come here. Leaders don't die in bunkers. They die on the battlefield," Zardari said, underscoring the level of alarm within Islamabad at the time.

Zardari also claimed he had been aware of the impending conflict four days earlier.

Strategic importance of Nur Khan airbase

Recent satellite imagery has shown reconstruction activity at Nur Khan Airbase, suggesting damage consistent with the May strikes. The base, located less than 25 kilometres from Islamabad, houses key assets of the Pakistan Air Force and is considered strategically vital.

While India has not officially disclosed the weapons used, analysts believe the airbase may have been targeted using a combination of BrahMos and SCALP missiles. During Operation Sindoor, BrahMos missiles were reportedly launched from Su-30 fighter jets, while SCALP missiles were deployed from Rafale aircraft.