In the weeks following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan repeatedly claimed that it had inflicted significant damage on Indian military infrastructure, including airbases and high-value defense systems. However, a thorough analysis by independent satellite imagery expert Damien Symon suggests these claims are baseless, as many of the images circulated by Pakistani sources were found to be either doctored or misrepresented.

Symon, who closely examined the visuals shared by Islamabad, concluded that Pakistan’s assertions—such as strikes on a Sukhoi fighter jet and an S-400 air defense system—do not match verified satellite data. For instance, one of the most prominent Pakistani claims involved a supposed strike on a Sukhoi-30MKI at the Adampur airbase in Punjab. An image circulated showed what appeared to be a burn mark near a jet. However, Symon verified that the image was taken before the conflict and the aircraft was not a Sukhoi but a MiG-29 undergoing maintenance. The dark patch near the jet was engine soot, not bomb damage.

Similarly, Pakistan alleged damage to an S-400 system at the Bhuj airbase in Gujarat, presenting imagery that showed dark patches on the ground, which were described as missile impact zones. Symon identified these marks as oil stains in a vehicle yard, and the images dated back to before the hostilities began. Another claim about missile damage to an S-400 battery at Adampur was supported by satellite photos that had been digitally edited to include black dots meant to simulate craters. When compared with current, unedited images, no such damage was found.

Another claim involved an image from the Naliya airbase showing what was said to be scorched ground from a bombing raid. Symon determined that the darkened area was actually a cloud shadow on the runway and not damage from an attack. Additionally, a blurry image of Srinagar airport was circulated online as proof of a Pakistani strike. Yet, high-resolution satellite images from various dates showed no visible damage to the civilian apron or nearby areas.

Adding to the false narrative, Pakistan shared imagery from a Chinese satellite company to assert damage at the Adampur airbase. Symon pointed out that the alleged damage was actually a pre-existing mark visible in older satellite captures. Visuals claiming damage near Jammu airport were also debunked, as the images had been digitally manipulated, and subsequent satellite images confirmed that the airport remained unharmed. The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Adampur airbase shortly after Operation Sindoor further highlighted the falsehood of Pakistan’s claims. Photographs from his visit showed no significant damage, directly challenging the narrative put forth by Pakistan.