New Delhi, June 8, 2025 — Satellite imagery analysis has debunked Pakistan’s assertions that Indian air bases at Adampur (Punjab) and Bhuj (Gujarat) were struck during Operation Sindoor, which unfolded between May 7–10, following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Adampur: A Mirage of Battle Damage
Pakistani sources claimed they had hit a Su‑30MKI fighter jet parked at the Adampur Air Base. The supporting satellite image, however, depicted a MiG‑29 undergoing routine maintenance, with dark soot near its engine—a typical residue from engine testing, not an explosion crater. Imagery from March 2025, well before the conflict began, clearly showed the same scene. Analyst Damien Symon described the incident as a case of “engine soot buildup… not battle damage” (ndtv.com, hindustantimes.com).
Further evidence came from Prime Minister Modi's subsequent visit on May 13, where both the MiG‑29 and the S‑400 defence system were seen intact, underscoring that no recent strike had occurred (newindianexpress.com).
Bhuj: Oil Stains Misinterpreted as Radar Destruction
In a parallel claim, Pakistan asserted it had destroyed an Indian S‑400 radar installation at Bhuj. Satellite images revealed only dark patches—likely oil stains in a service yard—and these images dated back to February 2025, predating the military operation (hindustantimes.com).
Widespread Dissemination of Misinformation
Pakistan’s narrative used outdated satellite frames and manipulated visuals, including superimposed craters, to depict strikes on Indian assets at Adampur, Bhuj, and even Naliya air bases. Yet independent analysis by OSINT experts like Symon has systematically exposed these falsifications (ndtv.com).
A Times of India report similarly confirmed that “satellite images debunk claim it hit India’s Adampur airbase” (newindianexpress.com).
Context of Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7, 2025 against nine identified terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan‑administered Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians . The operation lasted four days, concluding with a ceasefire agreement on May 10 (en.wikipedia.org).
Indian forces reportedly neutralized dozens of Pakistani drones and delivered precision strikes during the operation. The Pakistan side made multiple claims of retaliatory successes, but these have been called into question (hindustantimes.com).
🔍 Analysis
Independent verification, including satellite imagery and firsthand observations, strongly contradicts Pakistan’s claims of damage at Indian air bases. Instead, the visuals point to benign routine activity—maintenance soot, oil stains, and dated visuals—rather than evidence of recent attacks.
Disclaimer: This article is based on current satellite data and expert analysis. As events unfold, operational details or government statements may alter aspects of this report.
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