Pakistan's fantasies of hitting Indian air bases exposed by satellite image analyst
Story by FP News Desk
• 15h•
2 min read
Claims by Pakistan-based social media handles of the damage caused to Indian military infrastructure have been thoroughly debunked. Image:X.com/@detresfa_© Copyright (C)
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In the weeks following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has repeatedly claimed it inflicted significant damage on Indian military infrastructure, including airbases and high-value defense systems. But a detailed analysis by independent satellite imagery analyst Damien Symon suggests those claims are unfounded, with multiple images found to be either doctored or misrepresented.
Symon, who has been examining the visuals circulated by Islamabad, said that assertions made by Pakistani officials and media — including strikes on a Sukhoi fighter jet and an S-400 air defense unit — do not hold up against verified satellite data.
Adampur airbase: No Sukhoi hit
One of Pakistan's most prominent claims involved a purported strike on a Sukhoi-30MKI at the Adampur airbase in Punjab. An image shared by pro-Pakistan accounts showed what appeared to be a burn mark near a jet.
However, Symon confirmed the image pre-dated the conflict and the jet was not a Sukhoi but a MiG-29 undergoing maintenance. The dark patch near the aircraft was engine soot, not bomb damage.
Bhuj airbase: No damage to S-400
Another claim pointed to an alleged strike on an S-400 system at Bhuj airbase in Gujarat. Imagery showed dark patches on the ground, described as missile impact zones. Symon said the marks were oil stains in a vehicle yard, not missile craters. The image was also captured before the hostilities began.
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In a separate instance, Pakistan alleged missile damage to an S-400 battery at Adampur. Satellite photos used to support this were digitally edited, with black dots added to simulate craters. Symon compared them with current, unedited images, which showed no such damage.
Naliya airbase: Cloud shadow, not bomb damage
Another claim involved an image from Naliya airbase that allegedly showed scorched ground from a bombing raid. Symon identified the darkened area as a cloud shadow on the runway, not damage from an attack.
Srinagar airport: No visible impact
A blurry image of Srinagar airport was circulated online to support claims of a Pakistani strike. High-resolution satellite imagery from multiple sources and dates, however, showed no damage to the civilian apron or surrounding areas.
Chinese satellite firm cited in false claim
Adding to the narrative, Pakistan shared imagery from a Chinese satellite company to assert damage at Adampur airbase. Symon said the alleged damage was a pre-existing mark visible in older satellite captures.
Jammu airport: Another false claim
Visuals claiming damage at Jammu airport showed darkened spots near the runway, which Symon’s analysis debunked.
Post-strike satellite images confirmed the airport remained undamaged. The circulated image had been digitally manipulated, he said.
Prime Minister visit signals normalcy
Shortly after Operation Sindoor, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adampur airbase, and photographs from the event showed the absence of any substantial damage and directly challenging Pakistan’s narrative.
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