Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has been humiliated after being discovered to have fabricated claims of damage to the Indian Air Force’s Adampur Air Base in Punjab using out-of-date satellite imagery. The dispute revolves around Pakistan’s claim that, during the fighting in early May 2025, it had successfully attacked and damaged a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet and destroyed the base’s sophisticated air defense systems.
Damien Symon, an independent geointelligence specialist, played a key role in refuting these assertions. According to Symon’s investigation, the satellite image Pakistan claimed as “evidence” was actually obtained in March 2025, long before hostilities started, and was not during the time of Operation Sindoor.
Instead of showing a Sukhoi-30MKI as stated, the picture showed a MiG-29 aircraft undergoing standard repair. Pakistan claimed that the dark patch near the aircraft was evidence of battle damage, however it turned out to be soot buildup near the engine test pad, which is a common occurrence during maintenance procedures and not the consequence of an explosion or missile strike.
Subsequent investigation revealed that Pakistan’s attempts to use this outdated photograph as evidence of a successful strike were a component of a larger disinformation campaign. Similar tactics were used regarding claims of destroying India’s S-400 air defense system at Bhuj air base in Gujarat, which were also debunked by satellite imagery and independent analysts. In each case, the alleged “damage” was the consequence of ordinary activities rather than military activity, or it occurred before the battle.
Days after the fighting concluded, on May 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Adampur Air Base, further undermining the narrative of Pakistan’s win. He was accompanied by Indian officials on his visit, and in stark contrast to Pakistan’s allegations of devastation, a MiG-29 and an intact S-400 system were spotted in the background. There is currently no reliable proof to back up Pakistan’s claims that it has seriously damaged Indian military sites.
On the other hand, satellite imagery has verified that Indian strikes on Pakistani airbases, such as Jacobabad and Bholari, did cause noticeable damage, and those locations are currently undergoing repair efforts. This glaring disparity has further demonstrated the magnitude of Pakistan’s disinformation campaigns and the futility of its retaliatory measures.
Pakistan’s attempt to use manipulated and misleading photos to convey a story of military victory has been fully revealed. Islamabad has been widely embarrassed on the international scene as a result of the use of pre-conflict imagery, incorrectly identifying aircraft, and misrepresenting routine maintenance marks as “damage.” This has strengthened the legitimacy of independent verification and satellite intelligence in contemporary conflict reporting.
