The months of denial are over.5 In a stunning turn of events, Islamabad has officially conceded that Indian drone strikes successfully breached its defenses.6 On December 28, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Indian forces damaged the strategic Nur Khan Air Base during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
This admission shatters the “zero damage” narrative that the Pakistan Army (ISPR) has maintained since the conflict began.8 However, in a desperate bid to save face, the acknowledgment was paired with unsubstantiated claims of downing Indian fighter jets.
Speaking at a year-end press conference, Ishaq Dar provided the first official account of the damage. He admitted that an “intense 36-hour barrage” of 80 Indian drones targeted Pakistan’s military infrastructure.
Most notably, he confirmed that the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi was hit.12 This facility is one of Pakistan’s most sensitive military sites, housing AWACS aircraft and nuclear delivery assets.
Key details from the admission:
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The Scale: India launched a swarm of 80 drones deep into Pakistani territory.
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The Panic: On the night of May 10, Army Chief Asim Munir reportedly made a frantic call to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at 2:30 AM, fearing “ballistic missile” strikes.15
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The Damage: While Dar claimed the damage was “minor,” independent satellite imagery from July 2025 reveals collapsed hangars and cratered runways. Repairs are estimated to cost over $200 million.
The “7 Jets” Lie: A Desperate Cover-Up
While Pakistan admits Nur Khan air base damage, the leadership is struggling to manage the domestic fallout. To counter the humiliation, Dar claimed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down seven Indian jets during the conflict.
This claim has been widely debunked. Unlike previous conflicts where Pakistan displayed debris or captured pilots, there is zero evidence to support these new claims.
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No Wreckage: Not a single scrap of metal has been shown to the public.
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No Footage: In an era of digital warfare, Pakistan has failed to produce even a single video of a downing.
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IAF Records: The Indian Air Force has confirmed zero losses, a fact supported by global OSINT analysts.
Operation Sindoor: Retaliation for Pahalgam OP Sindoor
The strikes on Nur Khan were not unprovoked.18 Operation Sindoor was India’s decisive response to the Pahalgam Massacre, where Pakistan-backed JeM terrorists killed 28 civilians. India’s retaliation focused on dismantling terror infrastructure and signaling that high-value military assets are within reach.20 The successful strike on a nuclear-capable air base less than 15 kilometers from Pakistan’s military headquarters has rewritten the rules of deterrence in South Asia.
Conclusion OP Sindoor
The official confirmation that Pakistan admits Nur Khan air base damage marks a significant moment in Indo-Pak relations.21 It proves that Indian forces can penetrate Pakistan’s airspace and strike sensitive targets with precision.22 While Islamabad attempts to hide this failure behind tall tales of “downed jets,” the craters at Nur Khan tell the true story.
Fact vs. Fiction: Operation Sindoor
| Claim by Pakistan (Ishaq Dar) | The Reality (Verified Info) |
| “Only minor damage to one installation.” | Satellite images show destroyed hangars & runways. |
| “We intercepted 79 out of 80 drones.” | Multiple impacts confirmed at Nur Khan & Shorkot. |
| “We shot down 7 Indian fighter jets.” | Zero proof. No wreckage, no pilots, no videos. |
| “India’s security image is tarnished.” | India successfully struck a nuclear base and returned. |
