ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army conducted large-scale military exercises on Thursday, demonstrating combat readiness and advanced firepower amid escalating tensions with India after the Pahalgam incident — for which India swiftly blamed Pakistan without presenting any evidence.
According to media reports citing security sources, the exercises involved live-fire demonstrations and were designed to deliver a robust response to any aggression by the adversary.
Officers and troops from various units took part in the drills, displaying high-level operational skills and using advanced battlefield systems.
The exercises followed Pakistan’s retaliatory action on Wednesday when troops destroyed an Indian check post in response to unprovoked small-arms fire from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kiani and Mandal sectors.
Security officials said the retaliatory strikes neutralised enemy positions, including the Chakputra post in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated since the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. India blamed Pakistan for the incident without presenting any credible evidence.
Pakistan has condemned the incident and denied involvement. Pakistan also offered a neutral, independent and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam incident. India has yet to respond to Pakistan’s offer for neutral probe.
Pakistan, India tensions
The fallout has triggered a series of retaliatory diplomatic and strategic steps. India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelled visas for Pakistanis, and shut down the Wagah-Attari border crossing.
Pakistan responded by expelling Indian diplomats, threatening to suspend the Simla Agreement, suspending visas for Indian nationals—excluding Sikh pilgrims—and closing the main crossing from its side.
Military sources reiterated that the Pakistan Army remains fully prepared to counter any form of aggression and will respond firmly if provoked.
Pakistan Air Force, equipped with the latest fighter jets, is fully prepared and determined to deliver a crushing response to any aggression, state media reported on Thursday.
The PAF, renowned worldwide for its technical expertise and courageous reputation, has always fulfilled its professional responsibilities with utmost efficiency and dedication to the integrity of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Navy has also released a video, titled ‘Ready at all times’, featuring Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf.
“You must be battle-ready. The time has come to utilise our capabilities effectively,” Admiral Ashraf tells his troops in the video, which shows clips of various naval exercises.
“You get few opportunities to prove yourself. Our nation has a lot of expectations of us. We have to deliver, and deliver to the best possible efficiency before the enemy,” the naval chief says.
Soaring escalations
As tensions remain high, both countries’ troops reportedly exchanged small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in AJK for the seventh night since April 25, Reuters reported.
Pakistan’s state media on Wednesday reported that the Pakistan Army responded to overnight unprovoked Indian firing on the LoC.
In a series of escalatory developments, Indian fighter jets patrolling above the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir overnight on Tuesday were forced to retreat after the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) scrambled its jets.
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Army had shot down two Indian quadcopters after they violated the country’s airspace along the LoC in two separate areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.
The same day, Modi told his armed forces that they had the “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response to the terror attack”.
Friendly countries and global powers have urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, advising them to solve the matter through diplomatic engagement.
The United Nations chief, according to his spokesperson, has offered “his good offices to support de-escalation efforts”.
