Amid rising cross-border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of National Defense said it has carried out airstrikes on key military targets in Pakistan, including Rawalpindi’s Noor Khan Airbase, describing the action as a response to Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a post on Twitter that the Afghan Air Force carried out “effective air strikes” targeting key Pakistani military targets.
According to the statement, the attacks included Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, 12th Brigade base in Quetta in Balochistan and Khoizai Camp in Mohmand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as other military sites housing critical facilities and centres.
The post read, “The Air Force of the Ministry of Defense today once again carried out effective air strikes on important military bases of Pakistan. These strikes include Noor Khan Base in Rawalpindi, 12th Brigade Base in Quetta in Balochistan, Khoizai Camp in Mohmand Agency of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and some other military sites of Pakistan, where important military facilities and centers are located. These strikes have caused huge damage to these bases.”
It is noteworthy that the Noor Khan Airbase located in Chakala, Rawalpindi was also heavily damaged after India coordinated attacks on major military bases in Pakistan in May last year. These attacks were carried out as a retaliatory action by the Indian Armed Forces under Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on the morning of 7 May in response to the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Satellite images taken on May 13 by Maxar Technologies showed that several airports in Pakistan, including Noor Khan Air Base, were significantly damaged.
Photos show damage to four Pakistani air bases: Noor Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, PAF Base Mushaf in Sargodha, Bholari Air Base and PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad.
Satellite images taken on April 25, 2025 and May 10, 2025 showed damage to airport facilities, confirming the attacks on Noor Khan Airport.
Meanwhile, the Afghan Defense Ministry also said that the operation was launched in response to the airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani military on Kabul, Bagram and other areas “last night and today”.
The post read, “According to preliminary information, these strikes have resulted in significant damage to the mentioned targets. This operation was carried out in response to the airstrikes conducted by the Pakistani Army last night and today targeting Kabul, Bagram and some other areas.”
Warning against further escalation of tensions, the ministry said any violation of Afghan airspace or “disrespect by rogue elements in Pakistan” would be met with a strong response. Recent reports of cross-border attacks have led to a sharp increase in tensions between the two neighboring countries.