Pakistan's claims crumble: Satellite images expose truth about Adampur and Bhuj

Claims of a destroyed Sukhoi-30MKI at Adampur were debunked; the image showed a MiG-29 undergoing routine maintenance. Pakistan had claimed to have struck a parked Sukhoi-30MKI showing a irrelevant image.

Bengaluru: Amid Pakistan's claims that India's strategic Adampur airbase was hit during Operation Sindoor, satellite imagery has debunked those assertions. Pakistan had claimed to have struck a parked Sukhoi-30MKI at the Adampur Air Base in Punjab and destroyed an S-400 surface-to-air missile unit at the Bhuj Airfield in Gujarat. However, these assertions have been thoroughly debunked by independent satellite imagery analyst Damien Symon. 

One of Pakistan’s main claims was that it hit a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet at the Adampur Airbase in Punjab. To prove this, they shared an image showing a jet next to what they said was a burn mark. However, Damien Symon analysed the image and it was revealed that the image predated the conflict. The aircraft was a MiG-29 under routine maintenance, and the alleged damage was engine soot buildup from testing, not a missile hit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the air base following these claims.

Pakistan's claims debunked

Another image shared by Pakistan claimed it had destroyed an S-400 radar system at the Bhuj Airfield in Gujarat. The picture showed dark spots on the ground, which were said to be impact marks from a strike. But on closer inspection, these turned out to be just oil stains in a vehicle maintenance area. This too, turned out to be an image predating the conflict.

Pakistan had also circulated an image of Naliya Airbase in India, dated 12 May 2025, stating that they had damaged it. However verification of the image revealed that a shadow of a cloud overhead was the reason behind the discoloration on ground which made it look like it was damage.