Nearly three decades after the Kargil War, fresh details have emerged about India's planned strike on Pakistan's Skardu military base during Operation Sindoor. Former Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan revealed that Skardu was among the targets, aiming to deliver a significant blow to Pakistan and send a tough message to China, which provides security cover to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The IAF sought clearance for the strike on May 10, 2020, but bad weather forced them to target Bholari airbase instead. Situated in Gilgit-Baltistan, Skardu is strategically important due to its proximity to the Line of Control and Ladakh, serving as a main operating base for the Pakistan Air Force and housing an array of fighter jets and heavy transport aircraft. If India had successfully struck Skardu, it could have escalated tensions with China over security concerns surrounding its investments in Pakistan. This potential strike was not a new concept; India had bombed the Skardu airbase during the 1971 conflict as well.