Three Pakistan Air Force bases– Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Rafiqi Airbase in Punjab’s Shorkot, and Murid Airbase in Punjab’s Chakwal– were targeted in the strikes
India launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistan in the wee hours of Saturday, hitting the cities of Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi and three Air Force bases, defence sources told CNN-News18.
Multiple blasts were heard in cities of Pakistan– two in Rawalpindi, one each in Lahore and Islamabad. Three Air Force bases– Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Rafiqi Airbase in Punjab’s Shorkot, and Murid Airbase in Punjab’s Chakwal– were also targeted in the strikes.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry confirmed India’s attack on Nur Khan Airbase, Rafiqi Airbase but claimed all Pakistani Air Force (PAF) assets are safe.
The Pakistan government said there have been no casualties or material losses in the attack.
According to sources, India used air-to-surface missiles and drones in the strikes. Pakistan lost major air assets in the attack and they could not start their machines, they added.
The Indian strikes came hours after Pakistan launched a fresh drone strike at 26 locations in India on Friday amid escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Indian forces also intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by Pakistan, sources said.
Top government sources said India launched retaliatory strikes after Pakistan made multiple attempts to attack Indian Army bases and civilian areas.
“Terror dens were attacked for the crime done by terror groups by killing innocent Indians. We didn’t attack Pakistan military installations or civilian areas. Pakistan’s attempts since yesterday were criminal acts. They tried multiple attacks on Indian army bases. They also attacked Indian civilian areas. Their crime list is very big. India is making only custom match attacks,” sources added.
Earlier on Thursday night, India shot down around 300-400 drones launched by Pakistan at 36 locations in the northern and western parts of the country. Some members of a family were injured in the attack in Ferozpur, Punjab, the only known injuries in the attacks carried out after darkness fell. All the states that border Pakistan were under a blackout.
The defence ministry said the situation was under “close and constant watch”, and that there was no cause for panic. It said the Indian armed forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems.
