Pakistan Boosts Military Readiness, Deploys Fighter Jets Amid Fears of Indian Attack
Pakistan has reinforced its military forces and deployed fighter jets amid fears of an imminent Indian airstrike, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Monday.
The move follows a deadly militant attack last week in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists and sparked outrage across India. New Delhi has blamed Pakistan for supporting terrorist groups in the disputed region, an accusation Islamabad denies.
“We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken,” Asif told Reuters.
The Kashmir region, which both India and Pakistan claim, has been a source of conflict for decades. Rising tensions following the Pahalgam attack have triggered visible military mobilizations on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), the boundary dividing their respective zones of control in the region.
According to reports and open sources, Pakistan has responded to the perceived threat by activating several key airbases, including Skardu and Swat, and deploying several advanced fighter jets including China’s J-10 and JF-17 models, as well as U.S.-made F-16s.
In Punjab province, close to the Indian border, multiple Pakistan Army helicopters were seen operating approximately 40 kilometers from the frontier.
Meanwhile, military convoys have been spotted moving through Lahore, a major city located only a few kilometers from Indian Punjab. Pakistan has also reportedly deployed self-propelled artillery units roughly 80 kilometers from the border.
Turkey has publicly expressed support for Pakistan. According to Pakistani defense sources, a Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft landed in Karachi on Sunday, delivering combat equipment.
India said Monday it had responded to “unprovoked” small arms fire from Pakistan along the de facto border for a fourth straight night, as security forces intensified their search for militants following last week’s deadly attack in Kashmir.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Monday that China, a key player in the region, hopes both countries will exercise restraint.
“As a common neighbour of both India and Pakistan, China hopes that India and Pakistan will exercise restraint and meet each other halfway. We should properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability,” Guo said.
