In a major admission, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have officially confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a precision strike on the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi using Spice-2000 precision-guided munitions (PGMs). The acknowledgment comes after weeks of speculation, open-source analysis, and mounting satellite evidence of structural damage.
Details of the Admission
According to Pakistani officials, Indian Mirage-2000 aircraft executed the strike during Operation Sindoor on the night of May 9–10, 2025. The attack involved Israeli-origin Spice-2000 PGMs, weapons known for their pinpoint accuracy and previously used by India in cross-border operations.
Satellite images released by international media show significant damage to the airbase’s infrastructure, corroborating Pakistani statements. Initially, officials denied any loss, but recent admissions described the base as “hurt” and “damaged,” though specific asset losses remain undisclosed.
Strategic Significance
The Nur Khan Airbase is one of Pakistan’s most critical military installations, hosting Saab Erieye AWACS, aerial refuelers, and transport aircraft. Analysts note that the strike has severely impacted Pakistan’s air mobility and operational readiness.
Indian officials characterized the operation as a retaliatory strike following the Pahalgam terror attack, underscoring the precision and effectiveness of the IAF’s targeting.
Shift in Narrative
The admission marks a rare shift in Pakistan’s stance. For weeks, authorities dismissed reports of damage, even as international media, open-source experts, and satellite imagery pointed to extensive destruction. Analysts suggest the concession is partly aimed at managing domestic expectations and setting the stage for ceasefire negotiations with India.
Regional Implications
The strike represents a significant escalation in Indo-Pakistani hostilities, reaffirming the growing role of precision-guided munitions like the Spice-2000 in South Asian air warfare. Experts warn that such operations not only raise the threshold of conflict but also underscore the vulnerability of high-value strategic assets.
As both nations continue diplomatic maneuvering, the attack on Nur Khan may be remembered as a defining moment in the current confrontation, signaling India’s resolve and reshaping Pakistan’s defense calculus.
