High-resolution satellite images have revealed that India’s May 10 airstrike on Pakistan’s Murid and Nur Khan air bases as part of Operation Sindoor may have specifically targeted underground military infrastructure and high-value command nodes.
The newly released images from Maxar Technologies point to a strategic escalation in India’s targeting capabilities, with signs of deep-penetration precision strikes near fortified sub-complexes and command-and-control centers.
Murid Air Base: Strike Near Suspected Underground Facility
Satellite images show a crater nearly 3 meters wide, located just 30 meters from the entrance of a fortified underground facility within the Murid base in Punjab province. The area struck is heavily guarded, surrounded by double fencing and multiple watchtowers, raising speculation that India was aiming at subterranean infrastructure possibly involved in UAV (drone) operations or high-level command coordination.
The India Today quoted Damien Symon, a geo-intelligence researcher at Intel Lab, who said, “The strike targets a highly secure sub-complex within the air base, making it most likely a high-value target.”
The precision and location of the crater suggest the use of smart munitions or deep-penetrating bombs designed to breach underground military bunkers — a first known attempt of its kind by India.
Visible Damage to UAV and Command Structures
Further damage was documented to a command-and-control building adjacent to a UAV complex and hangar within Murid. Imagery dated April 16, prior to the strike, shows the building fully intact. In contrast, May 10 post-strike images reveal visible roof damage, indicating possible internal impact or blast wave penetration.
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“A likely command-and-control facility near the UAV complex appears to have been struck. The damaged roof points to a potential internal blast impact,” Symon was further quoted as saying.
Nur Khan Air Base: Targeted Destruction of Command Trucks
Operation Sindoor also involved strikes on the Nur Khan air base near Rawalpindi, a key logistics and airlift hub for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Home to C-130 Hercules, Saab 2000, and IL-78 refuelling aircraft, the base plays a central role in VIP transport and strategic deployments.
Satellite images from April 25 depict the facility untouched. However, images from May 10 show two trailer trucks, suspected to be mobile command-and-control units, completely destroyed in a pinpoint strike. A subsequent image from May 17 reveals debris clearance and the use of earth-moving equipment by Pakistani authorities at the strike site.
Strategic Implications: Precision Warfare and Deterrence
India’s Operation Sindoor appears to mark a shift towards precision warfare targeting not just surface-level infrastructure but deep-buried, strategic assets. The strike locations — both Murid and Nur Khan — are central to Pakistan’s air force operational readiness, and damaging them sends a strong message of India’s increasing aerial strike proficiency and intelligence-driven targeting.
The use of satellite-guided munitions and targeting of underground facilities suggests a significant technological and tactical evolution in India’s airpower doctrine. The integration of ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) assets with offensive capability may become a key component of future engagements.
What Is Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a preemptive and retaliatory aerial operation launched by India in response to escalating cross-border threats. Though officially unconfirmed in its entirety by the Indian government, several details have surfaced via independent analysts and open-source satellite intelligence.
The mission is believed to have involved:
- Multi-role fighter jets, likely Rafale or Su-30 MKI
- Precision-guided munitions
- Electronic warfare support
- Possible airborne early warning systems (AWACS) coordination
Both Murid and Nur Khan bases are strategically located and serve as critical links in Pakistan’s aerial command, drone operations, and strategic logistics.
