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Rahim Yar Khan airbase stays shut as Pakistan extends NOTAM, a month after India's Operation Sindoor strike

Rahim Yar Khan airbase stays shut as Pakistan extends NOTAM, a month after India's Operation Sindoor strike

Time of India20-06-2025
Pakistan has extended the closure of its
Rahim Yar Khan airbase
until 4 July, according to a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). The runway has remained offline since India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor in early May 2025. The extended shutdown signals continuing repair challenges for Pakistan's military after India's retaliatory strikes. The longer the runway stays idle, the more pressure Islamabad faces to restore full air‑defence coverage in southern Punjab.
Rahim yar khan air base notam extenrded to six weeks
Open‑source intelligence expert Damien Saymon posted, 'Pakistan once again issues a NOTAM for Rahim Yar Khan, the runway struck by India in May 2025 now remains offline estimated till 04 July 2025.' The update replaced an earlier NOTAM that was set to expire on 18 May.
— detresfa_ (@detresfa_)
India's response to Pahalgam terror attack
Operation Sindoor began after the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. New Delhi said the operation hit nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan‑occupied Jammu & Kashmir. The Indian government stated, 'carefully calculated move to neutralise Pakistan's military infrastructure while minimising collateral damage.'
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Rahim Yar Khan Airbase damage visible in released video
Footage released by the Indian Armed Forces showed a crater on the Rahim Yar Khan runway. The base lies about 200 km south of Bahawalpur and is a key part of Pakistan's air‑defence network.
Speaking about India's strikes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told supporters, 'Pakistan couldn't destroy the airbase here. Not far from here is Pakistan's Rahim Yar Khan air base which is in ICU because of India's air strikes.'
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He added, 'They thought that India would sit quietly. They didn't expect us to strike back. The ones who were proud of their arms are now shattered under debris.'
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