In a startling development following India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted key Pakistani military infrastructure in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, a prominent Pakistani expert has claimed that the Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad is under American control.
Imtiaz Gul, a well-known Pakistani analyst, revealed in a viral social media video that the Pakistan Air Force’s Nur Khan airbase is “reportedly owned by the Americans” and that even senior Pakistani Army officials are not allowed to interfere with operations there. He further alleged that American aircraft are frequently spotted at the base and that there is little transparency about their cargo or missions.
The Nur Khan airbase was among the targets damaged in India’s precision strikes under the codename Operation Sindoor. The operation was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, most of them tourists.
Strategically located near the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and only 10 km from Islamabad, the airbase holds critical importance. It is home to Pakistan’s main airlift squadrons, including the C-130 Hercules and IL-78 refueling aircraft, which are central to Pakistan’s logistical and strategic air mobility.
In addition to its military role, the base also functions as a civilian and educational hub. It houses the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, the PAF College Chaklala for aviation cadets, and the Fazaia Inter College Nur Khan.
The strike on Nur Khan is viewed as both a tactical and symbolic move by India, not only damaging Pakistan’s air transport capabilities but also casting a spotlight on growing foreign involvement in key Pakistani military installations.
