Β IAF Wing Commander Affirms Military Targets Only in Response to Pakistan’s Aggression
New Delhi:
In a decisive response to Pakistan’s recent escalations involving drone and missile attacks targeting civilian and military sites within India’s western sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed targeted strikes on key Pakistan Air Force (PAF) bases early this morning. The PAF bases at Rafiqui, Murid, and Chaklala were specifically chosen as strategic objectives in this counter-offensive.
During a government briefing held shortly after the operation, IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh unequivocally stated that India’s actions were precise and solely aimed at military installations within Pakistan. “Pakistan’s military assets located at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian were engaged with air-launched precision weaponry deployed from our fighter aircraft. Additionally, radar installations at Pasrur and the Sialkot aviation base were also targeted using precision munitions. Throughout these responsive actions, India prioritized minimizing any unintended damage,” she affirmed.
The selection of these targets underscores India’s strategic intent to neutralize Pakistan’s capacity for launching aerial incursions, particularly those involving drones and fighter jets. The successful engagement of these pivotal air force centers is likely to have significantly impacted Pakistan’s aerial reconnaissance capabilities and its ability to execute long-range strikes.
Strategic Importance of Targeted Pakistan Air Force Bases:
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PAF Base Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi): Formerly known as PAF Base Chaklala and situated in Rawalpindi, Nur Khan air base serves as the central command hub for Pakistan’s aerial mobility. It functions as the headquarters for Pakistan’s Air Mobility Command, making it a critical node for coordinating air operations. Indian Air Force officials have indicated that Nur Khan air base played a crucial role in orchestrating the recent cross-border drone and missile attacks initiated by Pakistan over the preceding 72 hours. This base is also home to a Saab 2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, which is assessed to have been instrumental in Pakistan’s aerial attacks on Indian cities.
PAF Base Rafiqui (Punjab Province): Located in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the Rafiqui air base hosts advanced fighter squadrons operating Mirage and JF-17 aircraft. It also serves as a vital training center for missions within the Punjab and Kashmir regions. Given the heightened aerial activity involving fighter jets from both nations in recent days, the Rafiqui air base was highly likely to have been a key operational center for Pakistan’s attacks on India. Targeting this base was a strategic move to disrupt Pakistan’s offensive capabilities. Similar to Murid and Chaklala, Rafiqui was engaged using air-launched precision weapons.
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PAF Base Murid (Punjab, Pakistan): Situated in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the Murid air base functions as the central command for Pakistan’s drone operations. This base houses Pakistan’s domestically produced Shahpar-I drones, as well as Turkish-origin Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles. Over the past two days, Pakistan has deployed numerous drones across the border, with many believed to be unarmed and used for intelligence gathering and identifying Indian positions. However, some were confirmed to be armed and posed a direct threat. The majority of these drones were successfully intercepted and neutralized by India’s air defense systems.
During the press briefing, Wing Commander Singh reiterated the readiness of the Indian armed forces and emphasized that all hostile actions have been effectively countered. “The Indian armed forces reaffirm their commitment to non-escalation, contingent upon reciprocal de-escalation by the Pakistan military,” she stated.
Pakistan’s aggressive aerial actions follow India’s precise airstrikes on terror infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. This operation was launched as a direct response to the devastating Pahalgam terror attacks, which tragically resulted in the loss of 26 innocent lives.