Following an attack by the Indian Air Force in May 2025, Pakistan has issued a new NOTAM, extending the closure of the Rahim Yar Khan Airbase. The runway, which was targeted during the strike, remains out of service with an estimated reopening date of August 15, 2025.
Damage to the airbase runway was extensive, and repair efforts are ongoing. The continued NOTAM signifies that the base is not yet fully operational. The last NOTAM was issued by Pakistan on July 18.
The strategically significant airbase is situated near Rahim Yar Khan city in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Flightradar24 data shows that the airbase has a single 3,000-meter (9,843-foot) bituminous runway. The Pakistan Air Force utilizes the airbase for a large portion of its operations.
Its proximity to the Indian border and its dual function, serving both military and civilian needs, adds to the airbase’s importance. The Sheikh Zayed International Airport is also co-located with the airbase.
The Indian Air Force’s Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 10, 2025, successfully targeted the airbase using DRDO’s Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). The use of this weapon significantly degraded the runway’s functionality.
The latest NOTAM indicates that the strategic impact of the strike continues to affect Pakistan, necessitating an extended period—over three months—to fully restore the airbase’s operational capabilities.