Pakistan’s Nur Khan Facility Under Repair After Alleged Taliban Drone Strikes During Operation Sindoor

Pakistan’s strategically significant Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi is reportedly undergoing repair work following alleged armed drone strikes carried out by Taliban fighters. According to claims circulating on official Afghan channels, the Command and Control Center at Nur Khan was among multiple Pakistani military facilities targeted during what Taliban sources described as coordinated aerial operations.

The development marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as cross-border hostilities intensify under what has been referred to as Operation Sindoor. Both nations have accused each other of launching retaliatory strikes, fueling one of the most serious military standoffs between the two in recent years.

Taliban Claim Coordinated Drone Operations Against Pakistani Military Targets

According to statements attributed to Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, Taliban forces carried out “precise and coordinated aerial operations” against several key Pakistani military installations.

The alleged targets included:

• Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi (Command and Control Center)
• Headquarters of the 12th Division in Quetta, Balochistan
• Khwazai Camp in Mohmand Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Additional military facilities and command centers

The ministry claimed that drone footage of the strikes had been released online. Independent verification of the extent of the damage remains limited, but local sources indicate that repair work has begun at the Nur Khan facility.

Reported Aircraft Downing Near Jalalabad

Taliban officials further alleged that a Pakistani fighter jet was shot down near Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. According to reports carried by international news agencies, the pilot reportedly ejected safely and was detained shortly after landing.

Residents in the region told reporters that the pilot was apprehended soon after parachuting into the area. Pakistan has not publicly confirmed these claims at the time of reporting.

Pakistan’s Airstrikes in Kandahar and Kabul

The alleged drone strikes come amid reports that Pakistan conducted air operations against targets inside Afghanistan, including:

• Kandahar — home to Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada
• Kabul — the Afghan capital

According to statements from Pakistani officials, more than 200 Taliban fighters were wounded and 133 were killed during these operations. Several installations were reportedly destroyed or seized.

Taliban representatives described Pakistan’s actions as a cross-border offensive initiated late Thursday, claiming that their own strikes were conducted in retaliation.

Casualty Claims and “Open War” Declaration

Taliban officials stated that their cross-border raids resulted in the deaths of at least 55 Pakistani soldiers. These claims have not been independently verified.

In a significant development, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly described the situation as an “open war” scenario, signaling one of the most serious diplomatic and military escalations between Islamabad and Kabul in recent memory.

Key Locations Targeted in the Escalation

Rising Regional Instability

The alleged drone strikes on Nur Khan Air Base and other installations highlight the evolving nature of modern warfare in the region, particularly the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems in cross-border conflicts.

The rapid cycle of strike and retaliation has intensified instability along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. Analysts warn that continued escalation could have broader regional implications, affecting diplomatic relations, Border Security operations, and counterterrorism strategies.

At the time of writing, both sides continue to issue competing statements, with independent verification of several claims still pending. However, repair activity at Nur Khan Air Base suggests that at least some level of impact occurred during the reported attacks.

Conclusion

The situation surrounding Pakistan’s Nur Khan facility and the broader Operation Sindoor developments underscores a volatile chapter in Pakistan–Afghanistan relations. With both nations reporting casualties and infrastructure damage, the coming days will likely determine whether tensions de-escalate through diplomatic engagement or continue along a path of military confrontation.

Further updates are expected as more verified information emerges regarding the extent of damage, casualties, and the diplomatic response from both governments.