THAL DESERT BOMBING RANGE, PAKISTAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 15, 2009
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: June 1, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6 -
OQ 0R4E?3pG?3E t UMH EWE
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6 -
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
SECRET
THAL DESERT BOMBING RANGE, PAKISTAN (S)
1. (S/D) The presence of a conventional bombing range in the Thal Desert in central Paki-
stan (Figure 1) was confirmed on Since August 1979, this range (Thal Desert
Bombing Range;
had been reported by NPIC as a suspected
lated facility. However, as a result of the recent construction of
a simulated airstrip and the addition of a simulated truck convoy, this facility can now be identi-
fied as a bombing range (Figure 2). This centrally located range is 120 nautical miles (nm) west-
southwest of Lahore and is within a 120-nm radius of three major Pakistani fighter bases. This
range is similar to the Sonmiani Bombing Range on the southern coast of
Pakistan (Figures 1 and 3). The Sonmiani range consists of a simulated airstrip, numerous firing
lanes, three observation towers, two concentric circle target grids, and a support area.
2. (S/D) The Thal Desert Bombing Range consists of the range facilities and a support area.
The range facilities include a simulated airstrip, consisting of an approximately 1,220-meter graded
and well-marked simulated runway, and four derelict aircraft parked in simulated revetments
immediately south of the simulated runway (Figure 4). A simulated truck convoy consisting of 14
derelict trucks (five on graphic) is dispersed along a road immediately east of the runway. Numer-
ous firing lanes are approximately 1,220 meters south of the simulated airstrip, and three observa-
tion towers are dispersed in an east-west line through the firing lanes (Figure 2). The towers are
identical, and a helicopter landing pad is near the center tower (Figure 5). Two concentric circle
target grids are between the simulated airstrip and the firing lanes. A third target grid, which was
being refurbished, is approximately 925 meters north of the simulated airstrip (Figure 6). The
fence-secured support area (Figure 7) is immediately south of the firing lanes and consists of eight
buildings, one observation tower, and one helicopter landing pad.
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
Third World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
Z-20084/81 SECRET IAR-0097/81
WNINTEL
25X1
25X1
LOA-1
25X1
25X1
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
SECRET
Arm
t' Gilgit
-+? Baltit
era Ismail
Khan
U.S.S.
Mirpur
Khai
Muzatfarabad
1Nowshera
~...+.. fZs /~ tl.n,rtrnt
glmla
Ludhiana
Ambala
Pakistan
International boundary
----?- Province boundary
National capital
0 Province capital
' Railroad
Road
- - - - Track or trail
0 100 200 Kilometers
0 100 200Miles
Z-20084/81
Na ,.s Snd boundary represintati.n
a,. nol ! osSAv I1 Authoritative
IA R-0097/81
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
Iq
Next 5 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6
Secret
Secret
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2009/12/15: CIA-RDP81T00618R000100660001-6