Explosions Rock Three Pakistani Air Bases Including Nur Khan; Airspace Shut Amid Tensions With India

Blasts at sensitive military installations in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, and Jhang spark alarm as Pakistan halts all civilian air traffic following India’s retaliatory defense strikes

New Delhi, May 10 — Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically as multiple explosions were reported early Saturday at three key Pakistani Air Force installations, including the Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad. The Pakistani government responded by shutting down its airspace to all civilian and commercial flights amid fears of further escalation.

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The blasts come just hours after India repelled a large-scale drone offensive launched by Pakistan across 26 locations from Leh to Sir Creek, targeting military and civilian infrastructure.

Eyewitnesses and local media in Pakistan reported a series of loud, successive blasts around 3 AM, particularly near Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi—a strategic location less than 10 km from Pakistan’s military headquarters. Videos circulating on social media showed large fires at the base, though these visuals remain unverified.

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In addition to Nur Khan, the Murid Air Base in Chakwal and PAF Base Rafiqui in Jhang District were also reportedly hit. These bases play critical roles in Pakistan’s drone warfare, fighter aircraft deployment, and logistics operations.

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Key Installations Targeted:

• Nur Khan Air Base (Rawalpindi): Functions as a logistics and VIP transport hub and is among the most protected military compounds in the country.
• Murid Air Base (Chakwal): Pakistan’s primary drone warfare and UAV facility, housing Shahpar I, Burraq UAVs, Turkish Bayraktar TB2, and the newer Akinci-L drones.
• PAF Base Rafiqui (Jhang): A core fighter base equipped with JF-17s, Mirage 5 aircraft, and Alouette III helicopters.

Pakistan Shuts Down Airspace:

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace was confirmed via NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and follows India’s accusation that Pakistan deliberately kept its skies open during previous drone and missile launches, potentially using civilian flights as shields to deter Indian retaliation.

On Friday, Indian Army spokesperson Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri jointly condemned Pakistan’s tactics as a threat to international aviation safety.

“Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, knowing fully well that its attack on India would elicit a swift air defence response,” Col. Qureshi stated during the briefing.

Pakistan had launched 300–400 drones—many confirmed as Turkish Asisguard Songar models—on the night of May 8–9, attempting incursions into Indian airspace. The Indian armed forces successfully intercepted most of them using S-400s, Barak-8 missiles, Akash SAMs, and indigenous anti-drone systems.

Blasts Heard in India Too:

Coinciding with the Pakistani air base incidents, multiple explosions were also heard in Srinagar, Poonch, Barmer, and Pokhran on the Indian side, prompting the Indian Army to schedule an emergency press briefing.

Amid ongoing cross-border shelling, officials in Jammu and Kashmir enforced blackouts in several towns, while locals in Amritsar and Jaisalmer reported intense aerial activity.

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