Pakistan Mobilises Troops To Border Areas | In a dramatic escalation reminiscent of the 1999 Kargil War, Pakistan has begun mobilising troops to forward areas along the India-Pakistan border, prompting strong and calibrated military retaliation from India. The Indian government confirmed on Saturday that six Pakistani airbases were struck with precision airstrikes in response to 26 drone and missile attacks on Indian military and civilian infrastructure.
The developments come as tensions surge in the wake of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, a large-scale assault launched in the early hours of Saturday targeting Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. India’s counter-operation has reaffirmed its high state of operational readiness.
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Addressing a press briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi warned of Pakistan’s growing offensive posture.
“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,” said Colonel Qureshi.
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This is the first known instance of such large-scale troop mobilisation by Pakistan since the Kargil conflict, a signal the Indian government has interpreted as an intent to expand the theatre of confrontation.
Pakistan’s Drone and Missile Barrage Condemned
As part of Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, Pakistan launched coordinated strikes on military bases and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools at Srinagar, Awantipur and Udhampur. Fighter jets, loitering munitions, and high-speed missiles were reportedly deployed. One such missile, believed to be a Fateh-2 surface-to-surface missile, was intercepted by Indian forces in Sirsa, Haryana.
“This once again revealed their irresponsible tendency of attacking civil infrastructure,” said Colonel Qureshi, condemning the deliberate targeting of civilian sites.
Indian Air Force Hits Back: Six Airbases in Pakistan Targeted
In retaliation, India’s precision strikes targeted:
- Rafiqui Airbase
- Murid Airbase
- Chaklala Military Facility
- Rahim Yar Khan Base
- Sukkur Installation
- Chunian Defence Post
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Additionally, radar sites at Pasrur and the Sialkot aviation base were neutralised. All targets were purely military in nature, and strikes were calibrated to avoid civilian casualties, the government reiterated.
India’s Stance: Measured Yet Resolute
While the Indian armed forces continue to demonstrate discipline and restraint, officials emphasised that further escalation will be met with proportionate response.
“India remains committed to non-escalation, provided the same is reciprocated,” said Wing Commander Singh.
The latest developments follow India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists. That operation led to the destruction of nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, including the elimination of several top Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed commanders.
