Pakistani Writer asserts Pakistan Air Force targeted Indian Air Base; swiftly debunked by fact-checkers
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 6-7 to retaliate against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, a series of claims and counter-claims have surfaced regarding the impact of the operation. One such claim was made by an author who offered satellite imagery to Open Intelligence expert Damien Symon, suggesting that an Indian airbase in Barnala had been damaged by the Pakistani Air Force. However, Damien Symon, who has previously exposed Pakistan on multiple occasions, shared images that showed no signs of damage to any Indian airbases. These images, dated May 19, depicted no structural changes or wall deformities. In response to this, Damien Symon stated that if the images were processed correctly, no damage could be seen. Interestingly, earlier imagery from March 2025 showed the site without coverings, while the latest Maxar imagery from August 2025 revealed much of the facility covered by tarps/nets, with ongoing earthworks. Images from March 15 also showed poles and antennas pushing tarps upwards, a feature also present in the August imagery. This suggests that the coverings may be temporary and could have been installed after the alleged airstrike. The site of the alleged strike contains an upgraded THD-1955 and an aerostat system, which could potentially be of interest. It's important to note that there is no publicly available evidence that Damien Symon was in contact with any person or organization responsible for spreading misinformation about the allegedly damaged airbase in Barnala before the release of the old and new satellite images. Meanwhile, Pakistan has denied any involvement in the damage to the Indian airbase and urged India for a ceasefire, bringing the conflict to a halt. However, it's worth mentioning that Pakistan converted Operation Sindoor into a military offensive, targeting 9 terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India, in its response, claimed that it made 11 Pakistani airbases dysfunctional with its airstrike during Operation Sindoor. Yet, the veracity of these claims remains a topic of debate, with the satellite imagery providing valuable insights into the situation. As the situation continues to unfold, it's crucial to maintain a factual and unbiased approach to reporting, ensuring that the public is kept informed with accurate and reliable information. The author was willing to share the Maxar imagery package with established IMINT contacts, further contributing to the ongoing discourse.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns