Pakistan responds to devastating Indian airstrikes with emergency airstrip activation

On May 10, India launched a series of precision airstrikes on multiple Pakistani military airbases, severely damaging key infrastructure in what was labeled Operation Sindoor. Targets included high-value airbases such as Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, and Sialkot. The strikes, executed with air-launched precision munitions, left behind extensive destruction: destroyed runways, collapsed hangars, and damaged radar systems. Rahim Yar Khan’s airstrip was notably torn apart, while strategic facilities like the Nur Khan airbase in Chaklala, which houses Pakistan's transport aircraft, were also hit, sparking concerns due to its proximity to nuclear assets.

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In response to the extensive damage, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is preparing to activate emergency airstrips along national highways, including the M1 and M2 routes. These airstrips are being revalidated to provide a contingency solution for maintaining some level of operational air capability. However, damage to key motorways, including massive craters caused by the airstrikes, poses further challenges.

In the wake of the attack, Pakistani leadership held a meeting of the National Command Authority, although it was officially denied. Indian officials, meanwhile, described the strikes as a clear message of their intent and military capability.