Indian Air Force to conduct large-scale military drills near India-Pak border in Rajasthan
The Indian Air Force is conducting large-scale military drills along the International Border with Pakistan, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued Tuesday said. The development comes amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack last month.
The drills will begin at 9 pm on Wednesday and conclude at 3 am on Friday. Flights operating from airports close to the border will be suspended during this period.
All major frontline fighter jets of the IAF will participate in the drills, sources told The Indian Express. This could include Rafale jets, Mirage 2000s, Su-30s, as well as tankers and AWACS.
According to the IAF, it is a pre-planned routine training exercise. It will take place in the area of responsibility of the South Western Air Command, which covers the south-western region of India. Officials added that the drills will test the combat readiness of the crew, platforms, and systems in Rajasthan and surrounding areas.
The latest exercise comes close on the heels of another major routine air exercise conducted by the IAF last month. In that exercise—Aakraman—the IAF demonstrated operational readiness through complex missions across the central sector using its frontline fighter jets.
Pakistan has also been carrying out Exercise INDUS, as part of which it recently conducted a training launch of a FATAH-series surface-to-surface missile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), as quoted by local media.
This was Pakistan's second missile test since the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, Pakistan had claimed it conducted a 'successful' training launch of the Abdali Weapon System, a surface-to-surface missile.
Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the top military brass at his residence on April 29, where he was quoted as saying that the armed forces have 'complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response' to the Pahalgam terror attack.
He has since held one-on-one meetings with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh to discuss the current security scenario, the overall preparedness of the forces, and India's retaliatory options.
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