Newly released high-resolution satellite images reveal significant damage to Pakistan’s Murid air base following the May 10 airstrikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The images, shared by defense analyst Damien Symon via Intel Lab on X, show a three-meter-wide crater located just 30 meters from one of the two entrances to the base—underscoring the precision and impact of the strike.
The satellite imagery confirms not only the destruction of surface structures but also damage to an underground facility at the strategically vital base. Earlier images had already highlighted extensive harm to buildings and rooftops at the site, known to house Pakistani drones and missile systems.
“This complex is heavily protected with double fencing, watchtowers, and strict access controls, indicating its importance. The underground facility may have been used to store special equipment or serve as personnel shelters,” said Symon, a geo-intelligence researcher at Intel Lab.
The Murid air base, located in Pakistan’s Chakwal district just 150 km from the Line of Control, functions as a forward operating base. It supports the Sargodha and Nur Khan air bases, both critical to Pakistan’s air defense infrastructure.
Comparative satellite imagery from April 16 and after the May 10 strikes clearly illustrates the impact. A previously intact building now shows significant structural damage, with a collapsed roof and visibly deteriorated outer walls. Symon noted the damaged facility is believed to have served as a command-and-control center near the base’s UAV complex.
Operation Sindoor was a precision airstrike carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 10, 2025, targeting key military infrastructure inside Pakistan. The operation specifically focused on the Murid air base in Chakwal, a critical hub for Pakistan’s drone and missile operations. High-resolution satellite images later revealed extensive damage to surface buildings as well as an underground facility, with a three-meter-wide crater appearing just 30 meters from one of the main entrances. The strike is believed to have compromised command-and-control capabilities at the base.
According to defense analysts, the Murid air base was a heavily fortified installation, equipped with multiple layers of security and surveillance. The successful targeting of such a site underscores the strategic planning and precision capabilities of the IAF. Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in India’s counterforce posture, signaling its intent to neutralize high-value military assets across the border if provoked.
