Is Pakistan’s ‘Nuclear Command,' Nur Khan airbase under American watch? Expert’s claim sparks alarm

Khushboo Verma, JadeTimes Staff

K. Verma is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia.

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Image Source: MazarVersion

In a revelation that has shaken Pakistan's armed forces and intelligence establishment, veteran security analyst Imtiaz Gul has caused furor by saying that Nur Khan Airbase—one of Pakistan's most strategic military facilities in Rawalpindi—could be in the effective control of the United States. His comments, made in a viral social media video, follow India's precision high-altitude strikes on the base during Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory action after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

Main claims made by Imtiaz Gul

Exclusive U.S. operational access

Gul reports that even high-ranking officers in the Pakistan Army are said to be held back from intervening in activities at Nur Khan Airbase. He accuses American planes of taking off and landing at the airbase on a regular basis, carrying out missions without any or minimal disclosure. Such operations, he implies, are likely due to concealed bilateral deals which have never been publicly disclosed, raising serious questions regarding Pakistan's military openness and sovereignty.

Sensitive Location

Once referred to as Chaklala Airbase, Nur Khan is situated outside Islamabad and abuts Rawalpindi, regarded as the command hub of Pakistan's military establishment. The airbase is also close to the Strategic Plans Division—the agency overseeing Pakistan's nuclear weapons—and the General Headquarters of the Army, highlighting the installation's strategic significance.

Operational importance

The base hosts Pakistan's essential airlift and logistics force, such as C-130 Hercules and IL-78 fuel tankers. It serves as a key node for air mobility within the country. Additionally, it co-locates with civilian infrastructure like Benazir Bhutto International Airport and is situated adjacent to key military training schools, extending its usefulness and visibility even further.

Subsequent to Operation Sindoor

India's Operation Sindoor, initiated in reaction to the Pahalgam terror attack, allegedly struck Nur Khan Airbase with high-accuracy missiles targeting hangars, radar facilities, and airfield systems. Intelligence reports indicate these attacks affected Pakistan's VIP air transport squadrons, drone operations, and air surveillance capabilities—resulting in a major, estimated 20% decrease in air force capability.

Satellite imagery has also revealed structural damage, such as the destruction of a 7,000-square-foot operations center and mobile command vehicles. Cratering impacts within locations close to heavily fortified underground facilities—potentially associated with nuclear activities—also reflect the intensity of the attack.

A larger pattern of American involvement

While Gul's attention remains trained on Nur Khan, U.S. military engagement in Pakistan is not unusual. From drone strikes to spy operations, the U.S. has long had varying levels of access to Pakistani land. Official reports and recent procurement records indicate continued American interest in other bases as well, including PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad, home to Pakistan's U.S.-gifted F-16 Block 52 fighters. Nevertheless, Gul's particular allegation—that Nur Khan flies with little Pakistani supervision—is without precedent in both its extent and secrecy.

Strategic installations suspected to be connected with U.S. operations

Nur Khan Airbase (Rawalpindi):

• Suspected to be under operational American control, according to Imtiaz Gul.

• Routine American aircraft operations with restricted access for Pakistan.

• Situated close to Pakistan's nuclear command and Army GHQ.

• Essential for drone, surveillance, and VIP flight operations.

PAF Base Shahbaz (Jacobabad):

• H.Q. of F-16 Block 52 fleet.

• Indications of continued U.S. involvement through repair deals and upgrades.

• At the center of combat operations and logistics for U.S.-provided aircraft. 

Strategic and political ramifications

Gul's daring claims have reopened long-standing controversies regarding the extent of U.S. penetration of Pakistan's defense establishment. With questions swirling regarding the degree to which the nation still has control over its military resources, particularly in the wake of recent Indian airstrikes, the stakes have never been greater. The purported exclusion of Pakistani staff from sensitive operations not only stokes anxieties regarding national security but also tests the principle of transparency and authority within the military.

As Pakistan tries to evaluate the fallout from Operation Sindoor, these disclosures can set off broader strategic adjustments both at home and abroad. For most, the issue at the heart of the matter is not simply the foreign presence—but the concealment thereof.