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News18
02-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Can Pakistan's China-Made SH-15 Howitzer Match Up To India's K-9 Vajra Power?
Last Updated: Military experts in India are dismissive of the SH-15's effectiveness when compared with the home-deployed K-9 Vajra. In the aftermath of the deadly April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, Pakistan finds itself gripped by a growing fear of retaliation from India. As tensions flare across the Line of Control (LoC), Islamabad has launched an extensive military build-up, deploying air defence and artillery units along the border, intensifying a state of high alert that spans land and air. The Pakistani Air Force has activated a triad of military exercises – Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin, and Zarb-e-Haideri – involving advanced combat aircraft like the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Army has moved forward with the deployment of its latest Chinese-acquired artillery system – the SH-15 howitzer. Delivered under a 2019 agreement with China's Norinco group, the SH-15 is a 155 mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer mounted on a 6×6 Shaanxi truck chassis. Its ability to fire both NATO-standard and GPS-guided munitions, combined with a range of up to 53 kilometres and shoot-and-scoot capability, makes it a key feature of Pakistan's artillery modernisation. Significantly, some military analysts in Pakistan claim the system is capable of launching tactical nuclear shells – a claim that remains untested on the battlefield. However, military experts in India are dismissive of the SH-15's effectiveness when compared with the home-deployed K-9 Vajra. Developed in collaboration with South Korea and inducted into the Indian Army in 2018, the K-9 Vajra boasts similar range but superior rate of fire – 6 to 8 rounds per minute – and enhanced targetting through a robust digital fire control and inertial navigation system. Its 50-tonne tracked chassis provides greater battlefield endurance and mobility across deserts and mountainous terrains, giving it a significant edge over Pakistan's wheeled SH-15. Currently, India has nearly 100 K-9 Vajra units which are backed by the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launch system, giving the Army a comprehensive tactical advantage. The Pahalgam massacre, in which terrorists reportedly executed tourists based on their religion, drew sharp condemnation and raised public and political calls for a forceful response. As India and Pakistan bolster their positions along the LoC, the specter of war looms larger than it has in recent years. First Published: May 02, 2025, 15:07 IST
NDTV
01-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Rajasthan Man Arrested For Spying For Pakistan's ISI
Jaisalmer: Rajasthan Intelligence has arrested a Jaisalmer resident, Pathan Khan, for allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), an official release said. As per an official release, authorities stated that the accused Pathan Khan visited Pakistan in 2013 and came in contact with officers of the Intelligence Agency of Pakistan. A case has been registered against the Pathan Khan under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. In Pakistan, Khan was lured with money and received training for espionage. Even after 2013, he continued meeting Pakistan Intelligence Agency officers by going there and kept sharing sensitive and confidential information related to the Jaisalmer International Border with Pakistan handlers, the press note stated. Meanwhile, amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, villagers who live near the international border in Rajasthan are bracing for all possibilities and say they are ready to provide all assistance to the Indian Army. In some of the last villages on the Indian side before the Indo-Pak international border in Rajasthan, preparedness and patriotism continue to go hand in hand. Bunkers have already been constructed to shelter both civilians and security forces in the event of a military escalation, say locals in these villages. The presence of the Indian Army in the region serves as a constant reminder of the state of preparedness. Locals in the area condemned the April 22 Pahalgam killings and urged the government of India to retaliate accordingly to the situation. Speaking to ANI, Arjun Singh, a local villager, said, "It is absolutely necessary to respond to Pakistan. They keep provoking us, and what they did in Pahalgam, killing unarmed civilians, is unacceptable. The army must strike back." The elderly man recalled the 1971 war, stating, "I was in Ramgarh when bombs were falling. Back then, we helped the army in every way possible. Today also, we are ready to assist, no matter the hardship." Meanwhile, the Pakistani military is continuing its build-up on the borders with India and has deployed air defence and artillery units at forward locations. The Pakistan Air Force is currently conducting three exercises simultaneously: Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin, and Zarb-e-Haidari. These exercises involve all major fighter aircraft fleets, including the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. On Tuesday, the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over the hotline to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, defence sources said on Wednesday. They said India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LOC) and the International Border. The Indian Army has effectively responded to the Pakistan Army's unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control (LoC). The Army responded swiftly to the ceasefire violation on the night of April 27-28 in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. Tension have escalated between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
India Today
01-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Pakistan deploys air defence, artillery units near Rajasthan border: Sources
Amid heightened fears of Indian military retaliation in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead, Pakistan is leaving no stone unturned in keeping up with the required level of air defence deployment to be prepared for any Pakistan Air Force is carrying out three exercises at a time, including the Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin and Zarb-e-Haidari, which includes all the major fighter aircraft fleets including the F-16, J-10 and JF-17, sources told India exercises started on April 29 and are seeing the participation of the Saab airborne early warning and control systems aircraft. The Pakistan Army Strike Corps elements are also carrying out training in their areas of responsibility, they forces have been put on a high alert after Prime Minister Narendra Modi allowed the Indian Armed forces the operational freedom to act in retaliation to the April 22 attack, orchestrated by Pakistani-backed the other hand, the Pakistani military has also deployed the Airport Security Force for protection of ground assets and peripheral security of the air SH-15 howitzers from China continue to be inducted into the Pakistan Army and the units are being deployed in forward Pakistani military continued building up on the border with India by deploying air defence and artillery units to forward locations. Sophisticated radar systems and air defence weapons systems have been deployed near the Longewala sector in Rajasthan's Barmer, sources told India has also started mobilising its Army along its border with India and has kept its Navy on standby as tensions between the two countries continue to rise, sources heightened movement of Pakistani forces assumes significance after their Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that the country had received "credible intelligence", indicating India may carry out a military strike within the next 24 to 36 Pakistani army is also moving its radar systems to forward locations in the Sialkot sector to detect possible Indian airstrikes. Electronic warfare detachments of the Pakistani army are also being deployed to forward locations to detect Indian movements opposite the Ferozepur ATTACK AFTERMATHDiplomatic reltations between India and Pakistan have nosedived and tensions have been high after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which was claimed by The Resistance Force (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistani terrorist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).In response, India has taken a set of measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, banning Pakistani nationals in India, downsizing staff at diplomatic missions, and closing its airspace for Pakistani flights, among on its part, has called off the 1971 Shimla pact, and closed down its airspace for Indian flights. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack, calling for a third-party investigation into the InMust Watch
India Gazette
01-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Time to respond to Pakistan": Rajasthan border villagers brace for all possibilites, amid Pahalgam attack
By Ravi Jalhotra Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) [India], May 1 (ANI): Amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, villagers who live near the international border in Rajasthan are bracing for all possibilities and say they are ready to provide all assistance to the Indian Army. In some of the last villages on the Indian side before Indo-Pak international border in Rajasthan, -preparedness and patriotism continue to go hand in hand. Bunkers have already been constructed to shelter both civilians and security forces in the event of a military escalation, say locals in these villages. The presence of the Indian Army in the region serves as a constant reminder of the state of preparedness. Locals in the area condemned the April 22 Pahalgam killings and urged the government of India to retaliate accordingly to the situation. Speaking to ANI, Arjun Singh, a local villager said, 'It is absolutely necessary to respond to Pakistan. They keep provoking us, and what they did in Pahalgam, killing unarmed civilians, is unacceptable. The army must strike back.' The elderly man recalled the 1971 war, stating, 'I was in Ramgarh when bombs were falling. Back then, we helped the army in every way possible. Today also, we are ready to assist, no matter the hardship.' Amidst the possibility of evacuation, villagers have expressed concerns for their livestock. 'If war breaks out, we can leave, but our animals might die in this scorching heat with no one to care for them,' the man said. The spirit of these villagers remains firm. 'No matter the cost, the nation comes first,' the local asserted. 'Pakistan won't stop its mischief until it gets a strong answer,' he added. Meanwhile, Pakistani military is continuing its build-up on the borders with India and has deployed air defence and artillery units at forward locations. The Pakistan Air Force is currently conducting three exercises simultaneously: Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin, and Zarb-e-Haidari. These exercises involve all major fighter aircraft fleets, including the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. On Tuesday, Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan talked over the hotline to discuss the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan, defence sources said on Wednesday. They said India warned Pakistan against the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LOC) and the International Border. The Indian Army has effectively responded to the Pakistan Army's unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control (LoC). The Army responded swiftly to the ceasefire violation on the night of April 27-28 in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K), officials said. Tension escalated between India and Pakistan following Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in which 26 people were killed. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan forces conduct drills, deploy Chinese howitzers along India border
Pakistan is ramping up its military presence along the border with India as tensions escalate following the Pahalgam terror attack. The Pakistani armed forces have deployed a range of assets, including radars, air defence systems, and Chinese howitzers. According to a report by news agency ANI, the Pakistani military has deployed radar systems and air defence weapon systems opposite the Longewala sector, Barner in Rajasthan. Apart from the build-up along the borders, the Pakistan Air Force is also currently conducting three exercises simultaneously. These are named Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin, and Zarb-e-Haidari, involving all major fighter aircraft fleets, including the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. The Air Force exercises started on April 29 and are seeing participation of the Saab airborne early warning and control systems aircraft. Pakistan has also temporarily shut its airspace over Lahore and Karachi amid the tensions. The sources quoted in the ANI report also said that the Pakistan Army Strike Corps elements are carrying out training in their areas of responsibility. The Pakistani military has also deployed the Airport Security Force for the protection of ground assets and the peripheral security of the air bases. The SH-15 howitzers from China continue to be inducted into the Pakistan Army, and the units are getting deployed in forward locations. According to another report by the Express Tribune, the country's army conducted full-scale military exercises on Thursday near the Line of Control (LoC) to show its combat readiness. Tension escalated between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people were killed, including 25 Indians and a Nepali national. The next day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), in which the group was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The CCS condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured. In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. The government has said that the terrorists responsible for the attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment. The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, shutting down the Attari check post, cancellation of visas to Pakistani nationals and cutting of staff in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. This was done to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. Since then, Pakistan has been violating the ceasefire along the LoC and international border in Jammu and Kashmir, with Indian forces giving a befitting reply each time.
