Amid heightened tensions following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to launch a large-scale air exercise over the desert sector and nearby regions along the India-Pakistan border starting Tuesday, May 7.
“Indian Air Force to carry out exercise over desert sector and adjoining areas along the India-Pakistan border from tomorrow, 7th May in which all frontline aircraft including the Rafale, Mirage 2000 and Sukhoi-30s will participate,” IAF officials told news agency ANI.According to a separate PTI report, the exercise will span two days, from May 7 to May 8, and will involve the full range of India’s frontline combat jets, including the French-origin Rafales, Mirage 2000s and Russian-made Sukhoi-30 MKIs.
The announcement comes in the backdrop of escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, most of whom were tourists. India has blamed Pakistan-based elements for the attack and taken a series of retaliatory diplomatic and strategic steps.
In response to what it called “cross-border linkages” to terrorism, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, ended trade ties with Pakistan, and cancelled most Pakistani visas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also granted the Indian military complete operational freedom to decide on the timing and nature of the country’s response.
The security situation has remained tense along the Line of Control (LoC), with multiple instances of unprovoked small-arms fire reported from Pakistani posts across Jammu and Kashmir. On the night of May 5 and early hours of May 6, the Indian Army responded to such firing from Pakistani positions in areas including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor.Meanwhile, as part of national preparedness, the Union Home Ministry has asked all states and Union Territories to conduct mock civil-defence drills on Wednesday, May 8. The move is intended to boost readiness in view of “new and complex threats” that have emerged amid the current geopolitical scenario.
