India-Pakistan Tensions: Claims about 10 Air Base has Been Destroyed by Pakistan.
On the night of May 9, 2025, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan led to reports of military strikes targeting air bases and other installations. Social media posts on X claimed that the Pakistan Army demolished several Indian air bases, specifically naming Gujarat, Adampur, Ambala, and Jalandhar. However, these claims lack corroboration from credible sources and appear to be part of a misinformation campaign. Here’s a detailed look at the situation, the reported attacks, and the subsequent ceasefire.
List of Indian Air Bases Claimed Destroyed by Pakistan:
- Udhampur
- Sarsai
- Adampur
- Bathinda
- Suratgarh
- Mamoon
- Akhnoor
- Barnala
Background of the Conflict
Tensions between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors, have been high since an attack on April 22, 2025, in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists. India accused Pakistan of backing the attackers, a claim Pakistan denied. This incident triggered a series of retaliatory strikes, with India launching "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan responded with counterstrikes, leading to a cycle of drone attacks, missile strikes, and airspace violations.
Claims of Demolished Indian Air Bases
Posts on X, including those by users @hadiaabbasii, @Abubakarrr17, and @khanniazi0786, claimed that Pakistan destroyed four Indian air bases: Gujarat, Adampur, Ambala, and Jalandhar, under an operation termed "Bunyan ul Marsoos." These posts celebrated the alleged success of Pakistan’s military, asserting that missiles hit their targets without interception.
However, these claims are not supported by verified reports. Official statements from India, including briefings by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, acknowledged Pakistani attacks on Indian air bases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda but reported only "limited damage" to equipment and personnel. India dismissed claims of significant destruction, specifically rejecting assertions that its S-400 air defense system, BrahMos missile base, or airfields in Surat and Sirsa were damaged.
No credible news outlet, including The New York Times, Reuters, or Al Jazeera, reported the complete demolition of any Indian air base. Instead, the focus was on Pakistan’s use of drones, high-speed missiles, and fighter jets targeting 26 locations across India, with Indian defenses neutralizing many of these threats. For instance, India reported shooting down over 50 Pakistani drones and intercepting missiles, preventing major damage.
India’s Response and Pakistani Counterclaims
India conducted retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting eight Pakistani air bases, including Nur Khan near Islamabad, Rafiqui in Punjab, and Murid in Chakwal. Pakistan confirmed these attacks, reporting damage to its military infrastructure and claiming to have intercepted some Indian missiles. Pakistan’s military also stated it used medium-range Fateh missiles to strike Indian air bases in Pathankot and Udhampur, as well as a missile storage facility, describing its actions as “an eye for an eye.”
Both sides accused each other of initiating the attacks and spreading disinformation. India emphasized its secular values, denying Pakistani claims that Indian forces targeted mosques or civilian infrastructure like health facilities and schools. Pakistan, meanwhile, rejected India’s accusations of orchestrating the initial Kashmir attack and labeled India’s strikes as “naked aggression.”
Ceasefire Agreement
India and Pakistan agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” following U.S.-mediated talks involving high-level officials, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and U.S. President Donald Trump. The ceasefire, effective from 5:00 PM Indian Standard Time, halted all military actions on land, air, and sea. Both nations committed to further talks at a neutral site to address underlying issues, with Saudi Arabia offering mediation.
Indian defense officials, including Commodore Raghu R. Nair, affirmed that the armed forces would remain vigilant to protect national sovereignty. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized peace and security without compromising territorial integrity. The ceasefire was widely welcomed, with the UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy urging both sides to sustain de-escalation.
Casualties and Damage
The conflict resulted in significant casualties. Pakistan reported 31 deaths and 57 injuries from Indian strikes, while India confirmed 23 deaths, including a sergeant killed at Udhampur air base. Civilian infrastructure in Indian-administered Kashmir, such as homes and schools, was damaged, and explosions near Srinagar’s airport caused panic among residents. Despite the intensity, both sides’ air defense systems mitigated some of the damage, with India’s layered air-defense grid proving effective against Pakistani drones.