Pakistan’s admission on Operation Sindoor confirms Indian drone strikes on Nur Khan airbase, marking a major shift in South Asia’s security balance.

New Delhi: After months of denial, Pakistan has officially acknowledged that India carried out large-scale military strikes during Operation Sindoor, causing serious damage to key Pakistani military assets. The admission came during a year-end press briefing when Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Indian forces deployed at least 80 drones within 36 hours, damaging the Nur Khan airbase and injuring military personnel.

The statement validates India’s long-standing claim that Operation Sindoor involved deep, precise, and high-impact strikes against terror infrastructure and military targets inside Pakistan.

Why Operation Sindoor Was Launched

Operation Sindoor was launched in early May 2025 as a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025. The attack targeted Indian infrastructure and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir and was blamed on Pakistan-backed terrorist groups.

Indian authorities stated that the operation was meant to send a clear message against cross-border terrorism.

Duration and Area Covered

The military operation lasted for around 96 hours. It began with focused strikes on terror hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke and later expanded to major Pakistani airbases. The operation culminated with an attack on the Nur Khan airbase, located just one kilometre from Pakistan’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Military Strength Used by India

India deployed more than 125 aircraft, including Rafale fighter jets, along with drones and advanced missiles such as BrahMos. According to Indian military officials, strikes were carried out up to 300 kilometres inside Pakistani territory with high accuracy.

Pakistan’s Official Confirmation

During the press briefing, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said:
“They sent drones towards Pakistan. In 36 hours, at least 80 drones were sent. One drone damaged a military installation and personnel were also injured.”

It's pretty awesome how dancing makes robots less intimidating. Looking forward to seeing more nontrivial Machine Learning on these robots. Credit: Boston Dynamics. pic.twitter.com/wnB2i9qhdQ

— Reza Zadeh 🇺🇸 (@Reza_Zadeh) December 29, 2020

This is the first official confirmation from Pakistan that Indian drones directly struck the Nur Khan airbase.

Damage Claimed by Indian Officials

The Indian Air Force Chief later detailed the losses suffered by Pakistan during the operation. According to official statements, the damage included:

• Six radars destroyed in Muridke and Chaklala
• Two Surface-to-Air Guided Weapon (SAGW) systems destroyed in Lahore and Okara
• Runways damaged at Sargodha and Rahim Yar Khan
• UAVs destroyed in Sukkur
• One AEW&CS aircraft destroyed in Bholari
• F-16 fighter jets hit in Jacobabad
• Five Pakistani fighter jets shot down by India’s S-400 air defence system

In total, Pakistan reportedly lost:

• One AWACS aircraft
• Two command and control centres
• Two SAGE systems
• Three aircraft hangars
• Five fighter jets, including F-16s
• Six radars
• Damage to 11 runways

Wider Losses and Casualties

Indian officials also claimed that Pakistan temporarily lost control of 9 to 12 airbases. Several fighter jets, including F-16s, Mirage 3/5, and JF-17s, were destroyed. Dozens of terror camps were eliminated.

More than 100 terrorists and over 50 Pakistani soldiers were killed during the strikes. Notably, no Pakistani jet, missile, or drone succeeded in hitting any Indian target.

India’s Air Defence Performance

India’s air defence systems intercepted Pakistani drone and missile attacks with around 95 percent accuracy. Missiles were neutralised mid-air using systems like S-400.

Less than one percent of India’s BrahMos missile stock was used, yet key targets were destroyed within 23 minutes, according to defence sources.

Other Strategic Moves

During the operation, India also scrapped the Indus Water Treaty, adding economic and diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.

Strikes were also reported at Shahbaz airbase, where American military contractors were allegedly killed. There were also claims that portable nuclear modules, jointly overseen by the US and Pakistan, may have been damaged.

Pakistan’s Preparedness and Failure

Following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan had placed its air force on high alert. It deployed F-16s, J-10C fighter jets, HQ-9 systems, and fired hundreds of PL-15 missiles.

Despite this, Indian pilots successfully avoided these attacks and completed their missions. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later claimed that 80 Indian aircraft were involved, though this figure does not match Indian military records.

Also Read: Delhi AQI Jumps to 425: CAQM Imposes GRAP Stage 3 – Here’s All You Need to Know

What Indian Leadership Said ?

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said:
“We were able to penetrate air defences up to 300 kilometres with accuracy, targeting airfields and infrastructure deep inside Pakistan.”

Former Army Commander Raj Shukla described Operation Sindoor as:
“One of the most humiliating military defeats of a sovereign nation in recent times.”
He added that Pakistan was forced to seek a ceasefire without resorting to nuclear threats.

International Reaction

The strikes triggered international concern, especially after reports of damage to nuclear-linked assets. Emergency evacuations were reportedly carried out.

US President Donald Trump later claimed that his administration helped stop the conflict. Pakistan even recommended him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Eventually, diplomatic talks helped ease tensions between the two countries.

A Turning Point in Regional Security

Pakistan’s admission has strengthened India’s position and confirmed the effectiveness of its military strategy. Analysts say Operation Sindoor has shifted the regional balance by showing that targeted, high-precision strikes can neutralise threats without escalating into full-scale war.

The impact of the operation is expected to influence South Asia’s security landscape for years to come.

Also Read: US Military Launches Operation Hawkeye Strike to Crush ISIS in Syrian Desert