How hard India hit! Pakistan still repairing airbases six months after Operation Sindoor

The findings come from noted OSINT analyst Damien Symon, who was among the first to report that India targeted Pakistan’s nuclear weapons complex at Kirana Hills.

New construction detected at Nur Khan Airbase

In a recent update on X, Symon said fresh satellite images indicate that Pakistan has begun constructing a new facility at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase, one of the locations struck by Indian forces in May 2025.

“Pakistan appears to have constructed a new facility at Nur Khan Airbase, at the location India targeted during its May 2025 conflict,” Symon posted on November 16.

The Nur Khan strike had drawn particular attention because the base lies near the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) headquarters — the body responsible for managing Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

Islamabad’s subsequent acknowledgement of the strike, made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, confirmed the scale and accuracy of India’s operation.

Jacobabad Airbase repairs still ongoing

Symon’s analysis also highlights slow reconstruction at Jacobabad Airbase in northern Sindh.

Satellite images from the past few months show the damaged hangar’s roof removed in phases, suggesting that engineers are still assessing the internal structural damage before moving to full repairs.

“Imagery over the past few months reveals the hangar targeted by India at Jacobabad Airbase has had its roof taken apart in stages—likely as internal damage checks continue,” Symon posted on November 15.

The extended repair timeline reflects the severity of India’s strike and the depth of structural compromise caused during the conflict.

Multiple Pakistani bases hit during Operation Sindoor

Nur Khan and Jacobabad were part of a wider set of targets hit by India after Pakistan launched attacks on Indian military installations and civilian areas in April.

Indian forces conducted deep-precision strikes on 11 Pakistani military sites, including major Pakistan Air Force bases at Murid, Rafiqui, Mushaf, Bholari, Qadrim, Sialkot and Sukkur.

The objective was to degrade Pakistan’s combat readiness and limit its capacity to sustain further escalation.

According to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, Pakistan suffered “very heavy” and “unsustainable losses” on both land and air during the exchange.

Kirana Hills strike: Nuclear-linked target confirmed

One of Symon’s most consequential assessments remains his July release of a Google Earth image showing what he identified as the impact site at Kirana Hills, a protected area believed to house Pakistani nuclear weapons infrastructure.

He said the image was based on satellite data from June, captured weeks after India’s May 2025 strike.

The Kirana Hills site has long been central to Pakistan’s strategic weapons program, making the reported strike one of the most significant in the operation.

Who is Damien Symon?

Damien Symon is a widely respected Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and geo-intelligence researcher, known for his work with The Intel Lab.

He specialises in analysing publicly available data — particularly satellite imagery — to verify or challenge claims emerging from conflict zones.

His work on India-Pakistan military developments has made him a key reference point for analysts and journalists alike.

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was launched after the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack in April, which targeted Indian security forces.

India’s response involved precision strikes on critical Pakistani military infrastructure, including airbases and strategic facilities placed deep inside its territory.

Pakistan later admitted that Indian strikes had hit sensitive sites, including Nur Khan Airbase — a rare public acknowledgement that underscored the effectiveness of India’s operation.