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PAF Base Qadri

Major Operational Base

Location Details

Location
Skardu, Baltistan
Province
Gilgit-Baltistan
Air Command
Northern Air Command
ICAO Code
OPSD
Latitude
35.3417°
Longitude
75.5225°

Squadrons Based Here

488 Mission Control Center
909 MRR Squadron

Runways

Direction
14L/32R
Length
3,641 metres (11,946 ft)
Surface
Asphalt
Direction
14R/32L
Length
3,641 metres (11,946 ft)
Surface
Asphalt

History

Originally built in 1949 as an emergency airstrip by PAF and local Balti people

Established logistic supply line to Pakistani troops in post-war skirmishes

Functioned as PAF Skardu, a satellite of PAF Base Minhas

Renamed PAF Qadri in 2003 after base commander killed in F-7P crash in 2002

Hosted Exercise Mountain Camp annually

Late 2010s: received major infrastructure upgrades

Status changed to FOB+ (Forward Operating Base Plus)

TPS-77 and SPADA-2000 squadrons deployed for air defense

Important Events

1949

Emergency airstrip built by PAF and Balti locals to supply Pakistani troops

2002

Base commander of Minhas airbase killed in Chengdu F-7P crash

2003

PAF Skardu renamed to PAF Qadri in honor of Air Commodore Abdul Hameed Qadri

Late 2010s

Major infrastructure upgrades, status upgraded to FOB+

2025

Targeted by Indian air and missile strikes on May 10 during 2025 India-Pakistan conflict. Indian claims of damage refuted by local news reports

Location on Map

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BASE CATEGORY
Major Operational Base
NAMED AFTER
Air Commodore Abdul Hameed Qadri
NOTES
Named after Air Commodore Abdul Hameed Qadri, veteran of Soviet Afghan war and recipient of Sitara-e-Basalat. Main operating base for Northern Air Command operations in Baltistan region

Quick Facts

Established:1949
Elevation:2,230 metres (7,316 ft)
Squadrons:2
Runways:2
Status:Operational