SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant revelation, sources within the Indian Air Force (IAF) have confirmed to idrw.org that a precision strike conducted during Operation Sindoor on Pakistan’s Bholari Airbase resulted in the destruction of a hangar housing critical assets of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The targeted hangar contained a Saab 2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and four fighter jets, at least three of which were F-16A/B Block-15 multi-role fighter aircraft recently acquired from Jordan.
The strike, executed on the night of May 9–10, 2025, was part of India’s retaliatory operation following Pakistan’s failed missile attacks on Indian military targets. The Bholari Airbase, located less than 100 miles from Karachi in Sindh province, is one of Pakistan’s most advanced operational bases, housing the 19 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU), which operate F-16A/B Block-15 ADF aircraft.
According to IAF sources, the hangar was struck with air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, causing significant structural damage. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies, analyzed by geo-intelligence experts, revealed a 60-foot-wide hole in the hangar’s roof, consistent with a missile impact. The attack not only destroyed the Saab 2000 Erieye AWACS, a critical asset for Pakistan’s air defense network, but also incapacitated four fighter jets stationed inside.
idrw.org has been exclusively informed that at least three of the destroyed jets were part of a squadron of 13 F-16A/B Block-15 aircraft transferred to Pakistan by the Royal Jordanian Air Force in 2014. These aircraft, already in service with the PAF, were integrated into their fleet as they matched the F-16A/B Block-15 variant Pakistan has operated for decades. The IAF sources further confirmed that three of these Jordanian-origin F-16s had an airframe life of approximately 15 years remaining and were slated for upgrades to modern standards with assistance from Turkey. The destruction of these aircraft represents a significant blow to Pakistan’s plans to bolster its aging F-16 fleet.
Satellite imagery and international media reports, including from The Washington Post and The New York Times, have validated the extent of the damage. The Bholari and Shahbaz airbases suffered severe structural losses, with hangars, runways, and control facilities heavily impacted. Despite Pakistan’s claims of minimal damage, the loss of six air force personnel at Bholari, confirmed by the Chief Minister of Sindh, underscores the strike’s effectiveness.
The destruction of the Jordanian-origin F-16s is particularly significant, as these aircraft were intended to enhance the PAF’s operational strength. With an airframe life of 15 years and planned upgrades, they were poised to remain a cornerstone of Pakistan’s air force for the foreseeable future. Their loss, alongside the Saab AWACS, is estimated to have set back Pakistan’s aerial capabilities by several years.
The IAF’s precision strikes have been hailed as a strategic success, demonstrating India’s ability to project power deep into Pakistani territory. The use of BrahMos missiles, launched from Su-30 MKI jets in Rajasthan, showcased India’s technological and tactical superiority, as Pakistan’s air defenses failed to counter the onslaught.
As repair efforts at Bholari are reportedly underway, with satellite imagery showing tarpaulin covering the damaged hangar, the PAF faces the daunting task of recovering from this setback. The loss of the Saab AWACS and the F-16s, combined with damage to other critical infrastructure, has significantly weakened Pakistan’s air defense network, leaving it vulnerable in the face of future conflicts.
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