The year 2025 witnessed one of the steepest downturns in India-Pakistan relations in decades, driven by Islamabad’s actions and repeated provocations from Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir. As the new year begins, Pakistan appears preoccupied with managing the consequences of that escalation.
More than seven months after India carried out precision strikes on 11 Pakistani airbases during Operation Sindoor, Islamabad is still grappling with the damage. Fresh satellite imagery and assessments by defence analysts indicate that repair and restoration work is ongoing at most of the affected facilities.
In recent days, Pakistan has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged the extent of the damage. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar admitted that Indian drones struck the strategically vital Nur Khan airbase, injuring personnel and damaging key installations. “In 36 hours, at least 80 drones were sent,” Dar said, marking a notable shift from Islamabad’s earlier attempts to downplay or deny the impact of the strikes.
The admission suggests Pakistan is finding it increasingly difficult to sustain its official narrative, especially as satellite imagery and independent analysis continue to draw global attention to the scale of destruction.
Current status of Pakistani airbases
A review of satellite data shows that several Pakistani airbases hit during Operation Sindoor remain partially or fully degraded:
Nur Khan airbase (Rawalpindi):
Pakistan has now confirmed damage at this highly sensitive base, located close to army headquarters. Satellite imagery from November showed new construction activity, indicating ongoing repairs. Images reveal extensive damage from the May strikes, including burnt fuel trucks, a collapsed warehouse roof and debris scattered near the runway.
Bholari airbase:
One of Pakistan’s newest airbases, Bholari suffered heavy damage. Recent imagery shows a damaged hangar covered with tarpaulin, pointing to restoration efforts. Several fighter aircraft based here were also affected.
Murid airbase:
Situated near the Indian border, Murid has reportedly been downgraded to “degraded status” after forward-operating infrastructure was destroyed. A large tarpaulin now covers the command-and-control building, suggesting prolonged repair work.
Mushaf airbase (Sargodha):
Operational capability remains limited following damage to critical command infrastructure. While runway craters visible after the strikes have since been repaired, broader functionality is yet to be fully restored.
Jacobabad airbase:
Home to some of the Pakistan Air Force’s most advanced platforms, including F-16s and JF-17 Block II jets, the base continues to face radar and air defence outages. Hangar repairs are progressing in phases.
Rafiqui airbase:
Damage to hangars and runway infrastructure has restricted regular flight operations.
Sukkur airbase:
Satellite imagery indicates severe blast and fire damage, rendering the base largely non-functional. UAV shelters are believed to have been hit.
Chunian airbase:
Fuel depots and technical facilities were destroyed, leaving the base facing long-term recovery.
Pasrur airfield:
Surveillance capability has been effectively wiped out following the destruction of radar installations.
Sialkot airbase:
Support infrastructure for fighter operations remains crippled due to precision drone strikes.
Skardu airbase:
High-altitude operational readiness has been severely impacted after fuel reserves and critical equipment were destroyed.
A recent US think tank report flagged the possibility of an India-Pakistan conflict in 2026. However, given the current condition of Pakistan’s airbase network, such a scenario appears unlikely in the near term. For Islamabad, much of the coming year may be spent restoring damaged military infrastructure rather than preparing for escalation.