Over two months ago, India hit Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan airbase. It was a part of the airstrikes under Operation Sindoor. Launched as a counter terrorism operation, it escalated to military engagement with Pakistan when the neighbour escalated the situation. Even now, the Rahim Yar Khan airbase, which was hit by Indian missiles, remains inoperational.
NOTAM Reveals Deep Damage
The Pakistan Airport Authority has issued another Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). They confirm that the sole runway will stay closed until 5 August. The airbase is located approximately 230 km south of Bahawalpur holding strategic importance due to its proximity to India’s Rajasthan border. It is a critical element in Pakistan’s southern air defence and is a dual-purpose airport. It is home to a forward operational base of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Central Air Command. Rahim Yar Khan Airbase is also home to the Sheikh Zayed International Airport. The continued closure points to significant damage caused to the strategic military base by the Indian army. In May-end, PM Narendra Modi had said at a rally in Rajasthan’s Bikaner that the airbase was in ‘ICU’.
On the day of the airstrikes, Pakistan had issued a NOTAM. It stated that the runway at the airbase would be unavailable for flight operations for a week. Subsequently, it has issued a number of NOTAMs to extend the closure. This indicates the need for intensive repairs at the runway to repair damage from India’s precision strikes. The latest notice, like the previous NOTAMs for Rahim Yar Khan airbase since May 10, also mentioned that closure is due to work. Progress is ongoing. It did not go into specifics. “RWY NOT AVBL FOR FLT OPS DUE WIP,” stated the latest NOTAM. The airbase’s sole runway is known as Runway 01/19. It has a bituminous surface. It is 3,000 metres or 9,843 feet in length, per airport data available on Flightradar24.
Also read: Operation Sindoor: India’s Precision Strikes Against Terror and Pakistan’s Miscalculation
Operation Sindoor’s Targets
A district commissioner in Pakistan previously confirmed that the strike created a large crater on the runway. However, the prolonged closure suggests that structural damage could be more extensive than originally reported. The attack on Rahim Yar khan was a part of Operation sindoor. Other locations targeted include the Nur Khan airbase at Chaklala, Rawalpindi. The Rafiqui airbase at Shorkot in Punjab was also targeted. The Murid airbase in Chakwal was another target. Additionally, the Chunian airbase in Punjab was included in the operation. Damage was also sustained by a transport aircraft at the Nur Khan airbase and technical facilities at Chunian.
A terror training centre in Bahawalpur was also struck. It has reportedly been shut down indefinitely. Reports indicate that militant leaders are seeking to relocate operations.
Airspace Bans Continue
Pakistan has also extended its airspace ban for Indian-operated flights by another month, up to 24 August. The NOTAM was issued by Pakistan Airports Authority. It states that all aircraft owned or leased by Indian carriers are prohibited from flying through Pakistani airspace. This includes both civilian and military aircraft.
The Indian government had earlier closed its airspace to all Pakistani aircraft until 24 July. This action was in response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Pakistan initially imposed its airspace ban on Indian aircraft on 24 April. Tit-for-tat restrictions between the two nations have been extended continuously ever since.
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