India’s airstrike cripples key Pakistani airbase: Rahim Yar Khan runway declared inoperable

In a significant fallout of the latest military escalation between India and Pakistan, the sole runway at Pakistan’s Rahim Yar Khan airbase has been declared non-operational for at least a week, following what sources confirm was a direct hit by an Indian air-launched missile.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) at 4:00 PM local time on May 10 confirmed the closure, officially citing “work in progress” on the runway. The notice remains in effect until 4:59 AM on May 18, effectively grounding operations at the dual-use facility, which also serves the Sheikh Zayed International Airport.

The airbase, located in southern Punjab, was one of six key Pakistani military installations targeted by India in a retaliatory strike Saturday, marking the most intense conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. The other sites included Rafiki, Murid, Chaklala, Sukkur, and Juniya.

The targeted strikes — part of India's broader military response under Operation Sindoor —came after Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in a brutal gun attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Indian intelligence later identified nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which were destroyed in the early hours of May 7.

Following the precision strikes, Pakistan escalated the conflict, launching a series of drone and missile attacks along the Line of Control and the international border. India responded swiftly with counterstrikes, hitting military assets deep inside Pakistani territory.

While Islamabad downplayed the significance of the Rahim Yar Khan airbase closure, citing maintenance, the context and timing suggest otherwise. Aviation experts point out that the NOTAM’s specific reference to runway work (“RWY NOT AVBL FOR FLT OPERATION WIP”) — with “WIP” being shorthand for “Work in Progress” per ICAO and FAA standards — strongly indicates runway damage consistent with missile impact.

Runway 01/19, the only airstrip at Rahim Yar Khan, spans 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) with a bituminous surface — standard for military operations. Its sudden week-long closure severely impacts both civilian and defense aviation in the region.

The May 10 ceasefire understanding appears to have temporarily paused the hostilities, but regional stability remains fragile. Defense analysts warn that while the guns have fallen silent for now, the strategic messaging from both sides signals a long-term shift in red lines.