India Pakistan War: How an airbase in Tajikistan is giving sleepless nights to Pakistan

After the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government is weighing its options for a military response against Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted full “operational freedom” to the armed forces to choose the timing, target, and method of retaliation. A lesser-known military asset — a strategic airbase in Tajikistan — could be key to India’s plan, enabling missions beyond Pakistan’s eastern defenses.

Pakistan expecting strike from the East

According to reports, Pakistan expects a strike and has placed its military on alert on its eastern borders against India. Air defenses have been activated, equipment moved toward the Indian border, and drills have been conducted to signal readiness.

However, a response from an unexpected direction — such as Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan — may catch Islamabad off guard. Historically, Pakistan’s military focus has remained on the eastern frontier with India. In contrast, the western border remains less fortified, as demonstrated during the 2011 US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad.


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India's strategic military base in Tajikistan

India’s military presence in Tajikistan dates back to the 1990s, when it established a hospital in Farkhor during Afghanistan’s civil war. India supported the Northern Alliance, led by Ahmad Shah Masood, who was treated at this hospital in 2001 after a fatal suicide attack.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Indian officials decided to upgrade the nearby Gissar Military Aerodrome, also called the Ayni airbase. Located near Dushanbe, it lies around 600 km from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and about 150 km from the Afghanistan border.

The Vajpayee-led government and then-defense minister George Fernandes supported the project. Key figures such as current National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and former Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa were also involved. The project was funded by the Ministry of External Affairs and carried out by a private contractor along with the Border Roads Organization. India extended the runway to 3,200 meters and upgraded support facilities for aircraft. Reports suggest India has temporarily deployed Su-30MKI fighter jets at the base.

Use of Ayni during Afghan evacuation

In August 2021, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, India used the Ayni airbase to evacuate its citizens. Indian Air Force C-17 and C-130 J transport aircraft operated from the base. A C-130 J aircraft airlifted 87 Indians from Kabul to Tajikistan.

Options for India from the Ayni base

The Ayni airbase offers multiple strategic advantages. Its presence alone could force Pakistan to spread its air defense resources to cover its western and northern borders. This could weaken the defense along the Line of Control and International Border.

India can conduct Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations into Pakistani territory from the base. Peshawar is about 500 km away, while Islamabad and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are around 600 km from the base. Since aircraft would need to cross Afghanistan, which lacks strong air defenses, these missions are considered feasible.

Another route could involve moving through the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip between Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and southern Tajikistan. This route is not heavily defended, offering another possible entry point.