The Indian government has reported a significant mobilisation of Pakistani troops to forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC), marking the first such build-up since the 1999 Kargil War. In response, Indian armed forces have been placed on heightened alert, prepared to counter any aggressive manoeuvres.
Addressing a press briefing on Saturday, following Pakistan’s attack on 26 military locations and civilian infrastructure across four Indian states, the government stated that India had carried out precision strikes on six Pakistani airbases as part of a robust countermeasure.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the official spokespersons for the ongoing conflict, emphasised the gravity of the situation.
“The Pakistani military has been observed to be moving their troops to border areas, indicating offensive intent to further escalate the situation. However, the Indian armed forces remain in a high state of operational readiness and all hostile actions have been effectively countered and responded to appropriately,” Qureshi stated.
The Pakistani offensive, dubbed 'Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos', was launched in the early hours of Saturday and targeted military locations and civilian infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat using drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter jets. The operation’s name, derived from a Quranic verse, translates to 'unbreakable wall'.
The government reported that Pakistani forces used drones and high-speed missiles to strike military bases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda, causing significant damage. Earlier, Indian forces reportedly intercepted a Fateh-2 surface-to-surface missile near Sirsa, Punjab, averting potential destruction.
Additionally, Pakistan allegedly targeted hospitals and school premises at air bases in Srinagar, Awantipur, and Udhampur, which the Indian government condemned as a blatant violation of international norms. “This once again revealed their irresponsible tendency of attacking civil infrastructure,” Colonel Qureshi remarked.
In a retaliatory operation, the Indian military reportedly targeted critical Pakistani installations, including technical installations, command and control centres, radar sites, and arms stores, while striving to minimise collateral damage. The identified Pakistani bases hit included Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian, along with radar sites in Pasrur and an aviation base in Sialkot.
The recent escalation comes amidst strained bilateral relations following India’s decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and Pakistan’s revocation of the Shimla Agreement, rendering the 1948 ceasefire line nonbinding.
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