Did Pakistan strike a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet at the Adampur air base in Punjab? Or destroy an S-400 surface-to-air missile system at Bhuj airfield in Gujarat? These are just two of several unsubstantiated claims Islamabad has pushed in a month-long campaign filled with misinformation and fabricated visuals—an apparent attempt to craft a narrative of success after suffering losses in India’s Operation Sindoor.
Launched in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, Operation Sindoor inflicted substantial damage on Pakistani military assets. In its aftermath, Pakistan scrambled to save face by launching a disinformation offensive, using manipulated satellite imagery, fake visuals, and misleading data to claim it had damaged Indian military installations. However, independent verification and expert analysis have systematically dismantled each of these claims.
Leading the effort to fact-check these assertions is Damien Symon, a top imagery analyst known for his work in geo-intelligence. Over the past month, Symon has exposed several instances of Pakistan misrepresenting or outright doctoring satellite images—some sourced from a Chinese satellite firm—in an attempt to project battlefield gains that never occurred.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the key false claims and the evidence that debunks them:
- Adampur Air Base: The Fictional Sukhoi-30MKI Strike: Pakistan claimed it had struck a Sukhoi-30MKI at the Adampur air base. The accompanying satellite image showed a fighter jet parked near a darkened patch, which was suggested to be burn damage. However, analysis revealed that the image was captured before hostilities began and depicted a MiG-29 undergoing routine maintenance. The dark patch was not from a missile strike, but rather soot buildup from repeated engine testing.
- Bhuj Air Base: Non-Existent S-400 Strike: Another claim suggested Pakistan had destroyed an Indian S-400 radar system at Bhuj airfield in Gujarat. The image showed dark patches on a concrete surface, presented as evidence of missile impact. Closer scrutiny revealed these were oil stains or fuel spills from a vehicle maintenance zone. Moreover, the image had been taken well before any cross-border tensions flared, discrediting the claim entirely.
- Adampur Again: Fabricated S-400 Battery Damage: A separate allegation asserted that an S-400 battery at Adampur had been hit. This time, the satellite image appeared to show crater-like dark spots. Upon comparison with unaltered satellite images, it was clear that these marks had been digitally added. No actual damage was visible on the ground, confirming deliberate tampering.
- Naliya Air Base: Cloud Shadow Misrepresented as Bombing: Islamabad also circulated an image of the Naliya air base, which appeared to show soil darkening near the runway. Pakistani sources claimed it indicated a bombing raid. Analysts quickly identified the dark area as the shadow of a passing cloud, not bomb damage. The airbase itself showed no signs of being hit.
- Srinagar Airport: Misleading Visuals: In another case, a hazy image of the civilian section of Srinagar airport was presented to suggest blast damage. However, higher-resolution satellite images from different dates clearly showed no change or damage. The promoted image was either manipulated or grossly misinterpreted.
- Chinese Satellite Imagery Misused for Adampur Claims: Pakistan also used satellite images released by a Chinese firm to back up its Adampur air base claim. But the so-called damage in those images matched features visible in older satellite photographs taken long before the recent conflict. The markings identified as strike damage had existed for months, invalidating the Pakistani assertion.
- Jammu Airport: Tampered Image, No Real Damage: A photo circulated widely claimed to show blast marks on the runway and apron area of Jammu airport. In reality, comparison with high-resolution post-strike imagery confirmed there was no damage. The blackened areas in the viral image had been digitally added—yet another case of visual manipulation.
Each of Pakistan’s claims about damaging Indian military infrastructure has failed basic verification. There is no visual or physical evidence of any Indian military base or installation suffering damage from Pakistan’s retaliation after Operation Sindoor. In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adampur air base personally in the days following the operation, underscoring its fully operational status.
On the contrary, satellite images of Indian airstrikes on Pakistani bases—particularly Jacobabad and Bholari—reveal visible signs of significant damage. Multiple structures and aircraft have been covered with tarpaulin sheets, likely to conceal the extent of destruction and ongoing repair work. These efforts are strong indicators of the impact India's Operation Sindoor had on Pakistan’s military infrastructure.
While Pakistan continues to flood the narrative space with doctored visuals and misinformation to save face, independent satellite imagery and expert analysis paint a clear picture: India’s strikes were real and effective; Pakistan’s claims of retaliation are largely fabricated.
Also Read: 9 Pakistani jets destroyed in Operation Sindoor strikes: Sources
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