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IAF Exercise: According to Indian Air Force officials, the exercise will start from 9:30 pm on May 7 and will run till 3:00 am on May 8.
IAF Exercise: Amid the increasing tension between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a big step and announced aerial exercise near the Pakistan border. The exercise will be held on May 7 in the desert area and surrounding areas of Rajasthan, for which India has issued Notam (notice to airmen). This step has been taken in the backdrop of increased tension between the two countries after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir last month, in which 26 people were killed.
Stress increased after Pahalgam attack
The attack in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam was taken responsibility by the Pakistan-backed terrorist organization The Resistance Front (TRF), which is considered a part of Lashkar-e-Taiba. India has blamed Pakistan for this attack and claimed on the basis of digital evidence that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI had a role in the attack. Tension between the two countries has been at its peak since the attack. India has taken several steps, including suspending Indus Water Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border and restricting the Indian airspace for Pakistani aircraft. On the other hand, Pakistan has also retaliated its airspace for Indian aircraft, taking retaliation.
The purpose and preparations for air maneuvers
According to Indian Air Force officials, the exercise will start from 9:30 pm on May 7 and will run till 3:00 am on 8 May. Frontline fighter aircraft like Rafael, Mirage 2000 and Sukhoi-30 will participate in it. This exercise will be held in areas bordering Rajasthan, which is considered a strong message for Pakistan. Earlier, after the Pahalgam attack in April, IAF conducted a large-scale military exercise called ‘Aakramana’, in which Rafael and Sukhoi-30 aircraft took part. Experts believe that this exercise is part of the strategy to display India’s military preparations and pressurize Pakistan.
Pakistan’s response and international concern
Pakistan has expressed concern about this exercise. The Pakistani Army has already deployed its radar system forward in Sialkot sector and has activated electronic warfare detections in front of Ferozepur. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif has said that India can attack the line of control at any time, and his army is ready to answer it. Meanwhile, countries like the United Nations and America have appealed to both sides to exercise restraint. UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres said, “The military solution is not a solution,” and advised the two countries to interact for peace.
