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News18
01-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Exercise Hammer Strike' Part Of Pakistan's Psyops Toolkit: Intel Sources
Last Updated: This is designed to project military strength against India and shape domestic and international narratives, the sources added By framing Exercise Hammer Strike as a mix of innovation and technological modernisation, Pakistan army chief Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah is trying to project the image of a powerful general, top Indian intelligence sources have told CNN-News18. 'The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release is a multilayered psyops tool," said a source. 'It warns India against aggression while reassuring China of Pakistan's strategic utility." According to intelligence sources, this serves as a calculated psychological operation by the Pakistan army chief. This is designed to project military strength against India and shape domestic and international narratives. 'This exercise is to highlight cutting-edge weapon systems, long-range precision artillery, and next-generation technologies," a source said. 'This signals Pakistan's ability to counter India's military edge: S-400 missiles and Rafale jets." Munir's statement, where he said, 'Any misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response", reinforces nuclear ambiguity and conventional readiness and resembles India's Cold Start, said sources. Pakistan is showcasing niche technologies, likely Chinese-origin systems like HQ-9 SAMs and Wing Loong drones, they added. This indicates heavy dependence on Chinese artillery. In this, they have shown the JF-17 Block III with Chinese AESA radars/PL-15 missiles, positioned to challenge India's Rafales. This is timed at heightened India-Pakistan tensions post-Pahalgam attack to preemptively counter Indian military posturing, sources stated. This distracts from domestic crises like economic collapse and political instability by redirecting focus to national security, they added. This exercise, according to them, counters India's global narrative of Pakistan as a terror sponsor by reframing the army as a professional, tech-savvy force. The presence of senior formations with him shows solidarity. Munir visited the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) on Thursday to observe Exercise Hammer Strike— a high-intensity field training exercise conducted by the Pakistan army's Mangla Strike Corps, according to ISPR. The military's media wing highlighted that the exercise demonstrated the army's growing integration of advanced and emerging technologies to enhance both kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities. During his visit, General Munir praised the professionalism, morale, and combat readiness of the participating troops, describing them as a true representation of the Pakistan Army's operational excellence. While addressing the troops, he reiterated the armed forces' unwavering commitment to defending Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'Let there be no ambiguity: any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and elevated response. While Pakistan remains devoted to regional peace, our readiness and determination to protect national interests are absolute," he emphasised. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 02, 2025, 00:47 IST
News18
24-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Becoming Global Liability: Intel Sources To News18
Last Updated: Top Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that ordinary Pakistanis express concern that Munir prioritises the Kashmir conflict over pressing domestic issues General Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah's policies and actions as Pakistan's army chief have drawn criticism for fuelling regional instability. His critics argue that his approach, characterised by inflammatory rhetoric, alleged support for proxy warfare, and authoritarian governance, has isolated Pakistan internationally. Top Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that ordinary Pakistanis express concern that Munir prioritises the Kashmir conflict over pressing domestic issues such as inflation and unemployment. Protests over power outages and fuel shortages are reportedly escalating, reflecting growing public discontent. The civilian government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, though seen as weak, has subtly expressed criticism of Munir's policies, sources said. Opposition parties, particularly the PTI, portray him as a warmonger who is leading Pakistan towards economic ruin, they added. Concerns have been raised about the alleged radicalisation of Pakistani diasporas, with Pakistan-linked individuals in Europe and North America implicated in various security threats. Critics point to the UK's grooming gangs and Canada's Khalistan extremists, alleging that they exploit Munir's Islamist narratives to justify violence. Munir's statement referring to Kashmir as Pakistan's 'jugular vein" and his declaration to fight ten more wars for it have drawn considerable attention. Critics, including top intelligence sources, argue that such pronouncements have motivated groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to carry out attacks such as the one in Pahalgam this week. Furthermore, Munir's missile tests and threats of a 'swift proportional response" to India are seen as escalating tensions and risking nuclear conflict, potentially destabilizing the entire region. Advertisement Munir's stance towards the Afghan Taliban has also been deemed counterproductive. Despite historical ties, Munir has accused Afghanistan of harbouring anti-Pakistan militants, particularly the TTP. His decision to deport 1.7 million Afghan refugees has exacerbated the regional refugee crisis and heightened border tensions. Munir's approach to internal security, particularly his crackdown on Baloch rebels, has also drawn international condemnation. Allegations of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, have prompted criticism from Iran. advetisement Following Imran Khan's arrest in 2023, Munir oversaw mass detentions of PTI supporters, trials of civilians in military courts, and internet blackouts. Munir's military-backed regime delayed elections and banned Khan from politics, prompting warnings from the US and EU about democratic backsliding. Pakistan's economy, heavily reliant on IMF bailouts, is grappling with soaring inflation, which reached 37% in 2023. While Munir's attempts to curb dollar hoarding provided temporary relief, they failed to attract much-needed foreign investment. advetisement The army's control over key sectors like real estate, particularly through the Fauji Foundation, is often cited as a significant obstacle to private sector growth. Despite Munir's visit to Washington in 2023, US officials remain wary of Pakistan due to its perceived ties to militant groups and its human rights record, said sources. top videos View All The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have faced significant setbacks due to security concerns, including attacks on Chinese engineers and allegations of corruption. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, once key financial backers of Pakistan, are increasingly shifting their investments towards India, a reflection of their concerns about Pakistan's instability. Get breaking news and latest updates about what's happening around the world, detailed analysis, and expert perspectives on everything. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Asim Munir Kashmir Pahalgam Pahalgam attack pakistan terror Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: April 24, 2025, 22:10 IST News world Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Becoming Global Liability: Intel Sources To News18
