The poetic line “Parde mein rehne do, parda na uthao” has taken on a sharp, ironic meaning in the geopolitical realm, as Pakistan appears to be visibly concealing military damage sustained during India’s Operation Sindoor. New high-resolution satellite imagery, sourced and analysed by India Today and geo-intelligence researcher Damien Symon (Intel Lab), reveals a deliberate effort to cover up air base damage using camouflage tarpaulins and roofing materials — a strategy more theatrical than tactical.
Key Sites and What Satellite Imagery Shows
1. Bholari Air Base (Sindh)
-
Earlier imagery showed a damaged hangar.
-
As of June 4, the roof is now neatly camouflaged with material that mimics the original structure.
-
The cover-up suggests ongoing repair work or concealment of internal destruction.
2. Murid Air Base (Punjab)
-
A green tarpaulin now hides what was likely a struck command and control centre.
-
A 3-metre-wide crater, previously visible near a strategic underground installation, is now tent-covered, hinting at both damage and embarrassment.
3. PAF Base Shehbaz (Jacobabad)
-
Home to F-16s, this base has seen partial roof repairs and debris removal between May 11 and June 4.
-
Earlier images indicated visible impact and structural compromise.
Why It Matters
-
These efforts are not military repairs, but clear signs of a public relations containment strategy.
-
With commercial satellite technology now publicly accessible, such concealment is more symbolic than strategic.
-
The covers — often color-matched to rooftops — show intent to deceive observers, not necessarily to shield from further strikes.
Pakistan’s Official Response
-
Continues to deny any substantive damage, despite:
-
Multiple impact zones
-
Obvious structural concealments
-
Crater locations now tented over
-
-
Instead, state narratives focus on unverified counterclaims (e.g., downing Indian jets), despite no corresponding physical evidence.
What’s Really Behind the Veil
-
The promotion of the army chief to Field Marshal, an unprecedented move, seems designed to deflect domestic attention and reinforce institutional prestige despite operational setbacks.
-
The disparity between ground reality and official narrative is stark — while satellite images confirm hits, Islamabad maintains silence or misdirection.
India’s Narrative
-
Operation Sindoor has been framed as a precision campaign targeting strategic Pakistani infrastructure.
-
With visual proof surfacing, India’s strategic messaging gains credibility, particularly in the global security and intelligence community.
The Bigger Picture
The tarpaulins and cleaned-up sites tell a story not just of military activity, but of a government trying to outmaneuver global perception. As the article aptly concludes:
“Parda jo uth gaya to bhed khul jayega”(When the veil is lifted, secrets will be revealed.)
In the age of open-source intelligence and satellite transparency, truth no longer hides behind walls or canvas — and the world is watching.
