A few days after the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian defense forces are increasing their operational status. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is organizing ‘practice invasion’ in the central region, including leading fighter aircraft like Rafael, Sukhoi-30 MKI and others. According to sources, this practice is part of regular preparation practice. However, its timing has attracted public and strategic interest soon after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Air Force operates two squadrons of Rafale aircraft, located in Ambala and Hashimara in West Bengal. Performing parallel to Shakti, the Indian Navy successfully tested the missile from its latest indigenously -built missile destroyer INS Surat in the Arabian Sea on Thursday 24 April.
Indian Air Force practiced ‘invasion’ along the Line of Control
Demonstrating power and vigilance, not only fighter aircraft but also transport aircraft remained active on Thursday night. Allegedly, these aircraft flew very close to the border areas. Meanwhile, aircraft equipped with Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) kept a strict monitoring of enemy’s antics. Meanwhile, Pakistani Air Force jets were also seen flying from across the border.
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Actions increased from Jammu and Kashmir to Arabian Sea
The Indian Army is gearing up for retaliation. After the Pahalgam attack, the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces- Army, Navy and Air Force- are now on high alert. The movements have increased from Jammu and Kashmir to the Arabian Sea. Indian Rafale aircraft on the Pakistani border have started air patrolling, while security forces are increasing investigation in border villages and destroying terrorists’ bases in a systematic manner. The army chief visited Srinagar.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday amid the increasing tension between India and Pakistan. He was accompanied by 15 core commanders Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava and Victor Force Commander. During his visit, General Dwivedi will preside over a high -level security review meeting focused on the strategic plan in LoC and other border areas. According to sources, senior military officers will give the army chief about the current deployment, intelligence information and future action to combat any threat from across the border. After the meeting, General Dwivedi will visit the same place in Pahalgam where unarmed tourists were killed in the terrorist attack.
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Pahalgam terrorist attack
The Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April killed 26 people, most of which were tourists and more than a dozen people were injured. It is one of the largest terrorist attacks after Article 370 was canceled in 2019. However, the government has not yet officially confirmed the number of casualties in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. After the terrorist attack, security forces started a search operation to catch responsible terrorists. Security has been increased since the attack, in the photographs received from the area, the roads in the moving tourist area are usually deserted.
