Tension on Pakistan border: Rafale ready, PM meets IAF chief

After the Pahalgam attack, tensions have increased again on the border, India's defense preparations are in the final stage. On Sunday, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in detail about military preparations. The IAF is participating in long-range fighter jet operations on India's western border, and the air defense system is also on high alert.

Prime Minister Modi has already told the army that they are completely independent in deciding the time, method and target of the counter-terrorism response. Earlier on Saturday, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also met the Prime Minister and presented a detailed report on defense preparations.

The clashes do not stop on the border. There have been allegations of "provocative" firing by Pakistan in Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Nowshera, Sundarbani and Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army said that the attack was carried out with rifles, light and medium machine guns. This is also being responded to "in full force".

The Air Force is conducting regular Combat Air Patrols (CAPs) and Operational Readiness Platforms (ORPs) have been increased at airbases along the border. These ORPs usually have two to three fully armed fighter jets ready to take to the skies at all times, ready to take to the skies at any moment of need.

Notably, the Indian Air Force did not have Rafales during the 2019 Balakot operation. But now these 4.5-generation Rafale fighter jets have become India's most powerful weapons. They have the Scalp cruise missile with a range of over 300 km and the Meteor air-to-air missile with a range of 120-150 km—which is very effective in destroying enemy fighter jets.

The direction in which the situation is moving, it is understood that India is no longer looking for a diplomatic message, but this time it wants a strong response. Now it remains to be seen what steps India will take in the next phase and where the border situation will turn.