Pakistan military holds several military drills in anticipation of Indian response
Amid expectations of potential Indian military action following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan's armed forces are conducting several exercises near the Line of Control (LoC) and in the Arabian Sea. Concurrently, Pakistan has closed several air traffic routes between Lahore and Islamabad and issued multiple 'Nav Area' warnings along its coastline, as some officials reportedly caution about an 'imminent' attack by India.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is holding three distinct exercises, the Pakistan Army is conducting 'Exercise Hammer Strike' near the LoC, and the Pakistan Navy is engaged in a series of drills in the Arabian Sea, proximate to where the Indian Navy is also carrying out firing exercises.
'The exercise is messaging to India that they are sitting close and ready to move in should India do something,' an official monitoring the situation observed. The area warnings and air traffic closures are interpreted as measures to keep airspace clear for early warning against potential Indian aerial action, the official added.
The PAF exercises conducted over the last few days include 'Zarb-e-Haideri' by its Southern Air Command, 'Fiza-e-Badar' in its Northern Air Command, and 'Lalkar-e-Momin' under its Central Air Command. These involve frontline fighter jets like the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. Pakistan has also released videos showcasing JF-17 jets equipped with the PL-15 Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile acquired from China.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Army's 1 Strike Corps, a key offensive formation, is conducting Exercise Hammer Strike in the Gujranwala area opposite Punjab. Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated on Thursday (May 1, 2025) that Army Chief Gen Asim Munir visited the Tilla Field Firing Ranges near Jhelum to witness high-intensity field training by the Mangla Strike Corps.
These exercises are taking place against a backdrop of heavy mobilisation of military equipment, including artillery, tanks, and other assets. Pakistan's recently acquired SH-15 155mm, 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer from China has also reportedly been deployed.
Along the LoC, ceasefire violations continued on Thrusday night. The Indian Army reported that Pakistani posts resorted to unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC opposite the Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Naushera, and Akhnoor areas. 'Indian Army troops responded in a calibrated and proportionate manner,' the statement added.
In the aerial domain, Pakistan has issued area warnings or NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) almost daily since the Pahalgam attack. Both India and Pakistan had issued warnings for exercises in the Arabian Sea, with notified zones just 85 nautical miles apart, as previously reported by The Hindu. India notified naval firing exercises at four locations off the Gujarat coast from April 30 to May 3, while Pakistan notified naval drills from April 30 to May 2, along with additional notifications for missile and gun firing exercises in the Northern Arabian Sea.
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