SOURCE: AFI
On May 10, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed a precision missile strike on Pakistan’s Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi as part of Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory operation targeting multiple Pakistani military installations. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and Chinese firm MizarVision, released shortly after the strike, has provided compelling evidence of the damage inflicted, with a particular focus on a large Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) truck structure hit by a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
Speculation is rife that this TEL could be associated with Pakistan’s Shaheen-III ballistic missile, though it remains unclear whether the truck was carrying a missile or was empty at the time of the strike. This article examines the before and after imagery, the significance of the strike, and the unanswered questions surrounding the targeted TEL.
High-resolution satellite images from Maxar Technologies and MizarVision offer a stark contrast between the pre- and post-strike conditions of Nur Khan Airbase, located just 10 kilometers from Islamabad. The airbase, a critical hub for Pakistan Air Force (PAF) logistics and home to transport aircraft like the C-130 Hercules and IL-78 refuelers, was targeted with precision munitions, likely BrahMos air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs), as part of India’s response to escalating cross-border hostilities.
- Pre-Strike Imagery: Before the attack, images show an intact airbase with operational infrastructure, including hangars, runways, and parked vehicles. Notably, a large TEL truck structure, approximately 20 meters in length, is visible in a designated area of the base. This structure, identified by its size and configuration, resembles the WS21200 TEL used to transport Pakistan’s Shaheen-III ballistic missile, a medium-range nuclear-capable missile with a range of 2,750 km.
- Post-Strike Imagery: The aftermath images reveal significant damage to the targeted area. A massive crater, estimated to be 8-9 meters wide, marks the site of the BrahMos strike, with debris scattered across the vicinity. The TEL truck structure is heavily damaged, with parts of it destroyed or displaced. Additional damage is observed to nearby infrastructure, including ground support vehicles and a section of the airbase’s operational facilities. MizarVision’s imagery, credited to open-source intelligence (OSINT) analyst Damien Symon (@detresfa_), highlights the precision of the strike, noting the destruction of at least two military transport vehicles alongside the TEL.
The before and after visuals confirm the IAF’s ability to deliver a crippling blow to a highly fortified military installation, disrupting Pakistan’s air mobility and logistics capabilities. However, the focus on the TEL truck has sparked intense debate about the strategic implications of the strike.
The Shaheen-III, Pakistan’s longest-range ballistic missile, is a cornerstone of its strategic deterrence, capable of reaching deep into India and parts of the Middle East. Developed in response to India’s Agni-III missile, the Shaheen-III is designed to deliver both conventional and nuclear warheads, with a stated range that covers India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The missile is transported and launched using a WS21200 TEL, a Chinese-supplied platform measuring approximately 20 meters in length, matching the dimensions of the structure seen in the satellite imagery.
- Was the TEL Carrying a Missile? The imagery does not conclusively show whether the TEL was loaded with a Shaheen-III missile or was empty at the time of the strike. A loaded missile would amplify the significance of the strike, potentially neutralizing a key component of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. An empty TEL, while still a valuable asset, would represent a less severe loss.
- Strategic Intent: If India deliberately targeted a Shaheen-III TEL, it would mark a bold escalation, signaling India’s willingness to strike at Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. The BrahMos missile’s precision, capable of hitting targets within meters, suggests the TEL was intentionally selected, possibly based on real-time intelligence indicating its presence.
- Pakistan’s Response: Official statements from Pakistan, including those by Director General ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, claim that most Indian missiles were intercepted, and no significant damage was inflicted on PAF assets. However, the satellite imagery contradicts these claims, showing clear evidence of destruction. Pakistan has not addressed the specific loss of the TEL or its potential link to the Shaheen-III.
The strike on Nur Khan Airbase, regardless of the TEL’s contents, carries profound strategic and symbolic weight. Located in close proximity to Pakistan’s General Headquarters and Islamabad, the base is a nerve center for PAF operations, housing critical assets like the No. 10 Multi-Role Tanker Transport Squadron. The destruction of infrastructure, vehicles, and potentially a Shaheen-III TEL underscores India’s ability to penetrate Pakistan’s air defenses and strike deep within its territory.
The use of the BrahMos missile, a joint India-Russia venture known for its supersonic speed and pinpoint accuracy, marks its first confirmed combat deployment. Launched likely from Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighters, the BrahMos enabled the IAF to bypass Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defense systems, such as the HQ-9, which failed to intercept the incoming missiles. This operation, completed in just 23 minutes as per the Indian Ministry of Defence, highlights India’s technological edge and operational efficiency.
The targeting of a potential Shaheen-III TEL, if confirmed, would represent a significant blow to Pakistan’s strategic deterrence. Even an empty TEL’s destruction would disrupt Pakistan’s ability to deploy its ballistic missiles, requiring costly replacements and repairs. The strike also exposes vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s air defense network, raising questions about the effectiveness of its Chinese-supplied systems against advanced Indian munitions.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.