Islamabad: Pakistan has begun repair work at the Bholari Air Base near Karachi, months after the facility was heavily damaged during India’s military operation known as Operation Sindoor, according to satellite imagery and media reports.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is currently in the early stages of repairing a damaged aircraft hangar at the base. Recent satellite images show that the hangar’s roof has been completely removed, indicating the start of reconstruction efforts. The repairs include installing a new roof, reinforcing the structure, and clearing debris.
Bholari Air Base was targeted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 10, 2025, the final day of Operation Sindoor. During the strike, an aircraft hangar was hit, resulting in the destruction of a Pakistani Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. A ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced just hours after the attack.
Satellite Images Confirm Reconstruction
According to a report by NDTV, satellite imagery captured by commercial satellite firm Vantor on January 28 shows visible changes at the site. Portions of the damaged roof have been removed, suggesting that full-scale reconstruction has begun. Analysts say the nature of the work points to significant structural damage caused by the Indian strike.
Part of a Broader Military Escalation
The attack on Bholari was part of a larger series of Indian air strikes carried out in response to what India described as repeated drone incursions and attempted attacks by the Pakistan Air Force on Indian military installations.
On the night of May 9, the Indian Air Force launched strikes on at least 10 Pakistani military facilities. Between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on May 10, Indian aircraft targeted bases at Chaklala, Rawali, Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Murid, and Naya Chor. Later in the day, additional strikes were carried out on Sargodha, Bholari, and Jacobabad.
Indian officials stated that the strikes were aimed at degrading Pakistan’s offensive air capabilities and command-and-control infrastructure.
Strategic Importance of Bholari
Bholari Air Base is considered a key Pakistan Air Force installation in southern Pakistan. The loss of an AEW&C aircraft—critical for airspace surveillance and early threat detection—was seen by defense analysts as a significant operational setback for the PAF.
Pakistan has not officially commented on the extent of the damage or the reconstruction timeline. However, the start of repairs suggests an effort to restore the base’s operational capacity after one of the most serious air base strikes in recent India-Pakistan military history.