May 10 strikes on Pak biggest since 1971
The 90-minute precision attack launched by the Indian Air force on May 10, is the biggest air strike on the capabilities of the Pakistan air force (PAF) since the 1971 war between the two nations.
War fighting has changed since 1971, when it was an era of close combat in the air. Today, long-range strikes are launched from jets with the primary aim to beat the enemy’s air defence.
In 1971, the PAF had lost 90 planes, but had inflicted damages to key Indian air bases. In 2025, all Indian air bases escaped without any damage and remained fully operational during the four-day conflict from May 7 to 10.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan forces have faced an embarrassment with satellite imagery making it clear that Indian jets had bombed the right places.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), a former fighter pilot, said, “The IAF has set a new normal by hitting terror centres, airfields, radars, air defence systems and major storage dumps across the length and breadth of Pakistan.”
He says the Pak response was limited to drone and a few cruise missiles, which could not hit any worthwhile targets.
An Indian assessment of strikes at Nur Khan, Chaklala, in Pakistan revealed major damage to infrastructure, including ground support vehicles, fuel trucks and a warehouse.
Rafiqui faced significant damage to radar installations and command/control centres. Satellite imagery showed debris and structural damage, with strikes targeting hangars and quick-reaction alert facilities.
Murid saw damage to ammunition depots and technical infrastructure. At Sukkur in Sindh, radar sites and ground assets were hit, while the Indian airstrikes damaged air defence radars and command facilities at Chunian, satellite imagery have confirmed strikes on radar installations.
The IAF hit Sargodha’s runway and hangars and critical infrastructure disrupting PAF’s JF-17 operations. The runaway of the Rahim Yar Khan base was also damaged, besides weapon storage areas in the area were also hit.
Bholari, Sindh, the base for Pakistan’s surveillance planes was hit, while Jacobabad in Sindh saw damage to ground support infrastructure and radar sites.
At Pasrur, the air defence radar was hit, while at Sialkot the radar site and aviation base was targeted.
A veteran of the 1971 war, Air Commodore (retd) Prashant Dikshit, pointed out that the ability to strike accurately and precisely at 11 bases, with an accuracy of one metre, means adversaries should better watch out.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) produced a 874-page official history of the 1971 war, titled “History of the 1971 India-Pakistan War”. It tells about those times, adding, “The PAF had concentrated its strength in defending its own airfields, leaving the IAF largely free to attack strategic targets, Railway yards, roads, bridges, gun positions and Pakistani troops.”
In 1971, IAF launched air attacks on airfields and radar stations of the Pakistan Air Force at various places like Murid, Mianwali, Sargodha, Chandher, Risalewala, Rafiqui, Peshawar and Masroor in West Pakistan.
India