Latest news with #StrategicPlansDivision
India.com
03-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
How India's BrahMos Strike On Nur Khan Airbase Brought Pakistan To The Brink
New Delhi: A single missile. Thirty seconds. That is all Pakistan had when India's BrahMos slammed into the Nur Khan Airbase – just minutes from Islamabad. No early warning. No clear warhead signature. No time to guess whether it carried a conventional payload or a nuclear one. Rana Sanaullah Khan, special assistant to Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, went public. He said that 30-second window nearly sparked a nuclear chain reaction. His words were not laced with bravado. They carried the tremor of a nation that found itself facing the unthinkable. "The Pakistani government had just 30-45 seconds to analyse whether the missile has any atomic payload. To make such a decision in just 30 seconds is a dangerous thing," Khan said during a televised interview. When India launched that BrahMos – what Khan mistakenly called 'Harmus' – the Pakistani high command scrambled. Inside Nur Khan, alarms rang. Pilots rushed to cockpits. Radar units lit up. In war rooms, generals debated retaliation. But the warhead was non-nuclear. Delhi was not pressing the red button yet. Still, that moment tore open Islamabad's biggest fear – a precise and rapid Indian strike that could knock out critical nodes before Pakistan had time to retaliate. Nur Khan is not any airbase. It lies inside a dense military ecosystem – adjacent to VIP terminals, near Islamabad's civilian airport and dangerously close to Pakistan's nuclear brain – the Strategic Plans Division. That division does not just manage warheads. It plans for survival. It monitors threats. It guards command centres. A hit this close, even with a conventional weapon, rattled nerves at the very top. Khan, in a recent interview, said U.S. President Donald Trump helped stop it from spiraling. He credits the former him with stepping in, easing tensions and pulling the region back from the edge. India has pushed back on that narrative. Officials say it was Pakistan's own DGMO who reached out first desperate to avoid escalation after the BrahMos strike exposed their air defenses. That night, Indian jets, apart from Nur Khan, targeted other airbases too. Runways were cratered. Refueling assets were disabled. By morning, Islamabad had lost air dominance over key northern sectors. And with each passing hour, Pakistan's retaliatory options narrowed. The Nur Khan base, once RAF Station Chaklala, has long been a high-value asset. It hosts Pakistan's key transport squadrons, refueling aircraft and serves as the main VIP air terminal for military brass and state leaders. More importantly, it is nestled in the shadow of Islamabad's strategic district where the lines between civilian governance and nuclear command blur. The base is also less than a dozen kilometers from what many believe are Pakistan's forward nuclear storage units. According to reports by The New York Times and other Western intelligence sources, Nur Khan base is critical to Pakistan's nuclear deployment network. That is what made the BrahMos impact so dangerous. It was not only a hole in a tarmac. It was a message – a demonstration of India's reach, precision and willingness to target assets deep inside enemy territory. Pakistan, which maintains a policy of ambiguity over its nuclear doctrine, had to read between the lines. Was this a decapitation attempt? A soft warning? Or a trial run for a bigger operation? Khan's admission changes the narrative. For the first time, a sitting Pakistani official has acknowledged how close the country came to misreading India's intent and launching something far more devastating in response. This was a moment where miscalculation could have meant mushroom clouds. India's no-first-use doctrine remains intact. But New Delhi has redefined how conventional superiority can be used for coercive diplomacy. A strike like Nur Khan is a geopolitical signal. As for Trump, Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir has already floated the idea of a Nobel Peace Prize for him. That may be diplomatic theatre. But it also shows how rattled Rawalpindi was and how badly they wanted to de-escalate without looking weak. Today, Nur Khan base still stands. But its scars run deeper than concrete. They live in the brief seconds when Pakistan's leadership stared into the nuclear abyss and waited.
India.com
03-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
'When Brahmos fell on Noor Khan Airbase, we had only...': Shehbaz Shariff's advisor makes shocking revelation of how scared Pakistan was
'When Brahmos fell on Noor Khan Airbase, we had only...': Shehbaz Shariff's advisor makes shocking revelation of how scared Pakistan was Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's advisor has for the first time revealed details about the night when India fired the Brahmos missile during Operation Sindoor. India attacked Pakistan's Noor Khan airbase with the Brahmos missile, which is just a few kilometers away from the Pakistani Army headquarters in Rawalpindi. The attack on Noor Khan airbase shook Pakistan and became a turning point in this war. What Shehbaz Shariff said? Rana Sanaullah Khan, special advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, revealed that when India attacked Noor Khan airbase with the Brahmos missile, Pakistan had only 30 seconds to decide whether it was a sign of a nuclear attack or not. Rana Sanaullah, while talking to Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir, who is an expert in spreading propaganda, said that 'When India attacked with Brahmos missile and it fell on Noor Khan airbase, then Pakistan's leadership had only 30-40 seconds to find out whether the incoming Brahmos missile had an atomic bomb or not. And in those 30 seconds, deciding that it was not there and deciding that it was (atomic bomb)… you can understand how dangerous it was.' He also mentioned, '….after the attack, it was President Donald Trump who intervened and we thanked him.' India attacked Noorkhan airbase with Brahmos Noor Khan Airbase is located just 10 kilometers away from Pakistan's capital Islamabad and is a very sensitive and strategic location for the Pakistan Air Force. It is not only used for VVIP movements and military transport, but Pakistan's air-tankers and squadrons are also deployed here. Also, this airbase is located very close to Pakistan's nuclear command, that is, this airbase is just a few kilometers away from the headquarters of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) and Pakistan's nuclear command center is also located a little distance from here.
AllAfrica
13-06-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Secret US agenda behind India-Pakistan ceasefire
The recent revelation aired by Pakistani security analyst Imtiaz Gul renewed attention to the Nur Khan air base near Islamabad. Gul alleges that this strategically significant facility is under de facto American operational control through a covert arrangement, with US aircraft regularly landing and taking off amid limited transparency. He further claims that even senior Pakistani military officials are restricted from accessing certain operations at the base. These assertions have gained traction in the aftermath of India's Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist sites and strategic military infrastructure in Pakistan, including the Nur Khan air base. The incident has reignited concerns over Pakistan's sovereignty, the extent and nature of America's military presence and Islamabad's evolving strategic alignments in the region. Noor Khan air base holds immense strategic value due to its location near Islamabad and Rawalpindi—Pakistan's political and military command hubs. Situated close to the Pakistan Army's General Headquarters (GHQ) and the Strategic Plans Division, which manages the country's nuclear arsenal, the base serves as the core command for Pakistan's air mobility operations. It houses key transport squadrons, including C-130s and CN-235s, and supports VVIP and strategic airlift missions. Its significance is further underscored by the regular presence of US military aircraft, particularly C-17 Globemasters and special operations units. Reports indicate that certain sections of the base may be designated for exclusive US use, with limited access even for senior Pakistani officials. This consistent American footprint, combined with restricted oversight, lends credibility to Gul's assertion that the air base could be operating under US oversight for select classified missions. The Noor Khan air base reportedly became a flashpoint during India's precision strike in Operation Sindoor, an event that dramatically escalated tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. Just hours before the strike, US Vice President J.D. Vance, in an interview with Fox News on May 9, 2025, publicly distanced Washington from the crisis, stating: 'We're not going to get involved in the middle of a war that's fundamentally none of our business, and has nothing to do with America's ability to control it.' However, following India's targeting of the strategically sensitive Noor Khan air base, the United States acted swiftly behind the scenes to contain the fallout. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior US officials activated emergency diplomatic channels aimed at defusing the crisis. However, the ceasefire that eventually took hold occurred only after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) directly contacted his Indian counterpart, prompting a mutual agreement to halt further escalation. This sequence of events, marked by Washington's initial public detachment and subsequent quiet intervention, likely underscores the concealed strategic importance the US attaches to military assets like Noor Khan air base. Pakistan's readiness to grant the United States access to its military bases is deeply rooted in a decades-long tradition of strategic cooperation. During the Cold War, Pakistan permitted the US to conduct U-2 reconnaissance missions from Peshawar's Badaber Airbase in 1958. This partnership deepened significantly during the War on Terror, when critical facilities—such as Shamsi, Shahbaz, Dalbandin, and Nur Khan air base—were used by US forces for drone strikes, intelligence gathering and logistical operations in Afghanistan. While less overt today, this military collaboration continues in more discreet and sophisticated forms. A strong indicator of sustained US strategic engagement is the consistent flow of financial and multilateral support to Pakistan—even during times of heightened geopolitical tension. In May 2025, amid escalating conflict with India following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan secured a crucial US$1 billion disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility. The release, widely believed to have been facilitated by US influence, was met with disapproval in India due to its timing during active hostilities, reinforcing the perception in New Delhi about Washington's long-standing geostrategic interests in Pakistan. Since 1958, Pakistan has received 24 IMF loan packages totaling around $34 billion, including a $1.3 billion tranche earlier in March 2025. At the same time, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved an $800 million assistance package—comprising a $300 million program-based loan and a $500 million policy-based loan. This support came in addition to previous climate resilience financing, including a $500 million CDREP loan. Despite Indian concerns about potential military diversion of the funds, these disbursements proceeded, signaling strong external backing. Furthermore, continuous US support for the maintenance and upgrade of Pakistan's F-16 fighter fleet continues to reflect a long-standing defense partnership between Rawalpindi and the Pentagon. Despite its withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US continues to view Pakistan as a vital component of its broader regional strategy. Facilities like Noor Khan air base—and possibly others—are believed to serve as forward-operating locations for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. These bases may also be positioned for potential pre-emptive strikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites or remnants of transnational terrorist groups such as the Islamic State–Khorasan Province (ISKP). Another key driver of US engagement is the strategic aim of preventing Pakistan from falling fully into China's orbit. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, includes major infrastructure investments—such as highways, ports, and energy facilities—many of which have potential dual-use military applications. It is likely that US ISR capabilities are actively monitoring these developments from strategic locations such as Noor Khan air base. China's strategic partnership with Pakistan—embodied by flagship initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the prospective transfer of advanced platforms such as the J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets—is driven primarily by Beijing's desire to counterbalance India's growing influence in South Asia. Chinese diplomatic and military support is not anchored in Pakistan's intrinsic value but in its instrumental role as a strategic bulwark against India. Yet, Beijing must tread carefully. The Pakistani military establishment has a well-documented history of hedging and duplicity in its external alignments. During the War on Terror, Pakistan secured billions in US assistance while simultaneously harboring elements of the Taliban and Haqqani terror network. Today, the same military apparatus may be covertly cooperating with US strategic objectives—potentially to the detriment of Chinese interests. For Beijing, these developments underscore the need to recognize the transactional instincts of Pakistan's military elite, who are adept at balancing rival patrons in pursuit of regime security and institutional gains. Even China's great strategist, Sun Tzu, might have cautioned against overreliance on such a volatile ally The continued US support for Pakistan—evident in sustained financial aid, favorable IMF policies and recent symbolic gestures such as inviting Pakistan's Army chief General Asim Munir to the 250th US Army Day celebrations in Washington—reinforces the perception of the long-standing transactional defense ties between Rawalpindi and the Pentagon. This support from the US strategic establishment remains strong despite Islamabad's role in fostering regional instability. Notably, Pakistan's 2025–26 federal budget included a nearly 20% increase in defense spending, raising the allocation to approximately 2.55 trillion rupees (~$9 billion), even as overall public expenditure was reduced by 7%. Analysts argue that such a move would not have been possible without continued external backing—particularly from the US—through financial assistance and favorable multilateral mechanisms, including IMF disbursements. For China, the lesson is clear: its strategic investment in Pakistan is conditional and instrumental. The possibility of betrayal exists, especially when dealing with a military establishment that has historically prioritized survival and advantage over ideological loyalty. The Noor Khan air base, in this context, is not just a military asset—it is a symbol of Pakistan's enduring relevance to US strategy and a warning sign for Beijing. Idress Aftab is a research analyst at the New Delhi-based Centre for Foreign Policy Research.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistani expert drops bombshell, says US runs Nur Khan airbase; Even Pak Army not allowed to enter
American Aircraft Frequently Seen at the Base Nur Khan Airbase Located news Headquarters of Pakistan Army India targeted Nur Khan airbase in Operation Sindoor No official response on US control claims Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A claim by Pakistani security expert Imtiaz Gul has ignited a controversy regarding the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi. In a widely circulated video, Gul alleges that the strategically important airbase is "under American control," and that even senior Pakistan Army officers are not allowed to interfere. The claim comes days after India's precision strike on the same base during Operation Sindoor , launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack According to Gul, American aircraft are frequently seen at the base, and there is little information available about their operations or cargo. He suggested that the arrangement between the United States and Pakistan appears to be based on undisclosed agreements, raising concerns over national sovereignty and military transparency. Gul's statement has raised questions about the extent of military cooperation between the US and Pakistan. It also brings up concerns about Pakistan's sovereignty and the transparency of its military Nur Khan airbase is strategically vital for Pakistan. It is located near Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which is the headquarters of the Pakistan Army. The airbase is also close to the Strategic Plans Division, which is in charge of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. The base houses Pakistan's main air transport squadrons and serves as the command center for the country's air mobility to the tensions, the Indian Air Force reportedly targeted the Nur Khan airbase during Operation Sindoor. This was a retaliatory strike following the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation caused damage to the airbase, underscoring its importance in regional security. The decision to target Nur Khan held both strategic and symbolic value, as the base is not only a key military asset but also lies in close proximity to Pakistan Army's main command far, there has been no official confirmation or denial from Pakistan's government or military regarding Gul's claim. However, the video has triggered questions about the extent of US access to Pakistani military infrastructure.
Economic Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
BrahMos just got its best export sales pitch
AP A man waves India's flag in front of a cut out of Brahmos Missile After Operation Sindoor, India's supersonic BrahMos cruise missile is getting rave reviews — including an oblique compliment from the enemy which has experienced the might of BrahMos. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has publicly admitted that BrahMos caught Pakistan unawares and struck several military bases deep inside the country. Speaking at a summit in Lachin, Azerbaijan, Sharif described how Indian strikes hit targets in Pakistan before it could mount its planned retaliation."We on 9th and 10th night we decided to respond in a measured fashion to Indian aggression," he said. "And we had decided that at 4:30 in the morning after Fajr prayers, Pakistan armed forces led very ably by our Field Marshal Chief Army Staff sitting here, Syed Asam Munir, to teach a lesson to our enemy. But before that hour reached India again launched missile attacks, BrahMos and hit Pakistan's various provinces including airport in Rawalpindi and other places." Also Read: Shehbaz Sharif admits Pakistan caught unawares by Brahmos missile Coming from the enemy which was hit hard, Sharif's statement can prove to be the best endorsement for BrahMos which is the centrepiece of India's military exports. Sharif's comment not only establishes the lethality of BrahMos but also proves its ability to escape Pakistan's radars and air defence. On May 10 SU-30 MKI-launched Brahmos missiles damaged Pakistan's northern air command-control network at Nur Khan airbase. It was India's strike on Nur Khan airbase, situated at Rawalpindi, that finally rattled the Pakistan military forcing them to approach the USA. Nur Khan is not only the home to the air refueling capability that kept Pakistani fighter jets in the air, but it is also near the headquarters of Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division, which oversees and protects the country's nuclear arsenal. BrahMos missiles have also reportedly been used to target JeM headquarters at Bahawalpur. Jointly developed with Russia but largely manufactured in India, the BrahMos is one of the fastest and most precise cruise missiles in the world. Flying at Mach 2.8–3.0 with a 290–500 km range, it was used to strike high-value targets like radar stations and hardened bunkers in Pakistan. Its speed and low radar cross-section make it nearly impossible to Aerospace was established through an inter-governmental agreement in 1998 as a joint venture between India's state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation and NPO Mashinostroyenia of Russia. The first trial launch of BrahMos missile took place in 2001. Various versions of this missile have been commissioned to India's navy, air force and army. Western-led sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine have not impacted BrahMos production or planning. Although BrahMos missiles still depend on Russian parts and raw material, the percentage of local input has gone up to over 70% from around 15% at the start of the April, India sent the second batch of BrahMos missile systems to the Philippines, following the first batch delivery in April 2024. The Philippines, which signed the $375 million deal with India in January 2022, is set to receive a total of three BrahMos missile is currently in advanced talks with Indonesia and Vietnam. In January 2024, Indonesia's defence ministry expressed formal interest in acquiring the BrahMos missile system, potentially valued at $450 million. A similar deal is in the works with Vietnam, where India hopes to finalise a $700 million agreement in the coming months. Operation Sindoor is likely to boost the appeal of BrahMos for many other countries export also serves India's strategic interest. An expansionist China's territorial claims in the South China Sea have put it in conflict with many countries. BrahMos export to these countries will help India take its resistance to maritime Chinese influence to China's own claims most of the South China Sea but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims. China has deployed hundreds of coastguard vessels throughout the South China Sea to patrol what it considers its waters, despite a 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in a case brought by the Philippines which said the claim had no basis under international laws. There have been frequent faceoffs between the two sides in the past few years, prompting the US and Japan to also pledge support to the Philippines. Sale of BrahMos to the Philippines and most likely to Indonesia and Vietnam in future, will bolster India's Act East policy. More military capacity for these countries alters the balance of power in the South China Sea where China asserts its the success of jointly produced BrahMos missiles in Operation Sindoor and subsequent conflict with Pakistan, India and Russia have launched negotiations for manufacturing an advanced version of the missile, as per a recent ET report. Russia, it is understood, has extended full technical support for jointly producing an advanced version of the missile in India, ET has learnt. Initial negotiations have already been held between New Delhi and Moscow on the issue. Also Read: India, Russia begin talks on advanced BrahMos missile production The newly inaugurated BrahMos facility in Uttar Pradesh has been identified for producing the advanced version of missiles, according to informed sources. The facility will produce missiles in substantial numbers. A BrahMos Aerospace Unit has been established in Lucknow at a cost of Rs 300 crore, with 80 hectares of land provided free by the government. The unit was inaugurated on May 11 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath."Initially, the Lucknow facility will roll out existing BrahMos missiles to meet increased demand, but its specific purpose is to manufacture BrahMos NG (next generation) missile," Sudhir Kumar Mishra, former CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace, told TOI recently."The BrahMos NG will have a range of 300km, equal to the current missile, but will be significantly lighter, at 1.2 tonnes (1,200 kg) compared to the existing model's 2,900kg," Mishra said. "BrahMos NG would be integrated on Sukhoi 30. Currently, Su-30 can integrate only one missile, but with the NG version, five missiles can be integrated: four on Light Combat Aircraft. On land and ship versions, instead of three missiles, six or eight can be packed, thanks to the reduced size. This approach maintains effectiveness while increasing numbers and reducing costs, ensuring steady supply to the armed forces."
