As tensions with Pakistan continue to rise following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will begin a crucial two-day combat exercise on Wednesday in the western sector of the country. The drills, planned well in advance, will involve a full spectrum of air force assets including fighter jets, helicopters, mid-air refuellers, AWACS, transport aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), officials said.
The IAF has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) regarding airspace restrictions over Rajasthan near the Pakistan border, signalling the scale of the operation. The combat drills will span airbases across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, testing the IAF’s combat preparedness amid heightened regional instability.
Although described by the IAF as a “routine training exercise,” the timing of the manoeuvres comes against the backdrop of escalating cross-border tensions and increased ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC). In the last 12 days, Pakistani forces have opened fire in multiple sectors including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor.
A senior defence official stated, “The exercise seeks to test the IAF’s combat readiness,” while pointing out that both India and Pakistan have conducted a series of military activities following the Pahalgam attack — the worst strike on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Alongside the IAF exercise, India will also conduct a nationwide civil defence mock drill on Wednesday to test the country’s emergency response systems. Activities will include testing air raid sirens, blackout exercises, and civil defence training across 244 districts. The scale of this preparedness drill is unprecedented since 1971, when India and Pakistan last went to war.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly received multiple briefings on the nation’s defence posture and has granted the military complete operational freedom. “The armed forces have full authority to decide the mode, timing, and targets for any response,” sources in the defence establishment confirmed.
In recent weeks, India has announced several punitive measures against Pakistan, including banning Pakistani imports, shutting its airspace to Pakistani aircraft, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Bilateral ties have been further downgraded with the expulsion of most Pakistani nationals from India and closure of the Attari land crossing.
Pakistan has responded with reciprocal measures, including a trade ban and suspension of air links, and has hinted at withdrawing from bilateral agreements like the Simla Accord.
India’s military strength has significantly expanded since the 2019 Balakot airstrikes and the ongoing standoff with China. The country’s arsenal now includes Rafale fighter jets, S-400 and Barak 8 missile systems, INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, the nuclear-powered INS Arighaat, Prachand light combat helicopters, C-295 transport aircraft, and advanced surveillance systems.
With a heightened state of readiness and a fortified arsenal, New Delhi is preparing for a potential escalation, signalling that the situation along the India-Pakistan border may further intensify in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies
