Tensions at borders escalate, Pakistan deploys Chinese PL-15 missiles, bunkers near…, India demonstrates readiness for…
New Delhi: Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) has reportedly received a shipment of China’s advanced PL-15 air-to-air missiles as the tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan has also activated its Swat (Saidu Sharif Airport) and Skardu (Qadri) airbases, with the Air Force conducting sorties on Sunday. The Pakistan Air Force stated that “in light of the evolving regional security dynamics, the PAF has activated the Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat as an operational airbase and operationalized the Skardu (Qadri) AFB, as the PAF is poised to project airpower across all fronts.”
JF-17 jets armed with long-range missiles flying over Pakistani cities and villages. Reports also suggest that the Pakistani army has deployed self-propelled guns at a distance of reportedly a few km from the Indian border.
The Eurasian Times had earlier reported that the missiles delivered to PAF were sourced directly from China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), and not the export model known as PL-15E. If true, it would suggest a fast-tracked weapons delivery from China to Pakistan at a time when the threat of conflict between the two neighbours is running high. The PL-15’s extended range could give Pakistani pilots the ability to target Indian aircraft from much farther away, offering a potential advantage if hostilities escalate.
Indian Navy demonstrates readiness for long-range ‘offensive’ strikes
The Indian Navy on Sunday said its warships have successfully carried out multiple anti-ship firings, revalidating their readiness for long-range precision “offensive” strikes. The demonstration of the Navy’s combat prowess came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Citing “cross-border linkages” to the horrific attack, India has already promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike that triggered wide-spread outrage within India and abroad.
“Indian Navy ships undertook successful multiple anti-ship firings to revalidate and demonstrate readiness of platforms, systems and crew for long range precision offensive strike,” the Indian Navy said in a brief statement.
“Indian Navy stands combat ready, credible and future ready in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests anytime, anywhere, anyhow,” it said. The Indian Navy also released videos of the live firings at sea but did not provide details like when the exercise was carried out.
As the tensions between the two countries soared, it is learnt that Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chouhan called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Though there is no official word on what transpired in the meeting, it is learnt that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir figured in the discussion.
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