Pakistan has vacated civilians at border villages and has begun massive mobilisation of troops, tanks and other armoured material along the line of control and international border. The mobilisation started two days after Jaishe-Mohammad’s terror strike killed 40 CRPF jawans in J&K’s Pulwama.
According to Indian officials, several infantry units under Pakistan’s defensive formations are at LoC and its strike formations are ready. Pakistan’s ‘precautionary’ measures have prompted India to strengthen its defences along LoC and international border with ground-based defences and mechanised formations.
“Our ground based defence systems have been put on alert along the LoC and some parts of IB, Mechanised formations too have been placed on standby. We are fully prepared to respond to any provocation by Pakistan,” said Additional Director General Military Operations Major General SS Mahal.
“Pakistan have either moved or emptied villages in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Fresh deployment means the troop strength has increased along LoC. Right behind, they are supported by armoured columns,” another official said. Units from defensive formations such as Rawalpindi-based 10 Corps and 30 Corps in Gujranwala are among those that have moved close to the border. An armoured column consists of tanks and infantry combat vehicles. They are meant to defend and if needed to punch through rival defences.
Indian intelligence have satellite imagery about Pakistan’s troop movements. Pakistan military mobilisation is heavier at the Rajasthan border. The terrain is suitable for mechanised warfare. The Pakistani defences are meant to prevent its adversary from accessing roads.
Lahore based 4 Corps and Karachi based 5 Corps look after operations in the region. Some of them are ‘strike’ elements such as 7 and 9 infantry divisions, two armoured divisions and reserves such as the Army Reserve South, Army Reserve North and also an Army Reserve Centre. “Even Pakistan’s offensive formations are being prepared, although they have not been moved,” said an official.
Several expressways in Karachi have been shut for traffic too to enable fighter aircraft to use them as runways. “Pakistan has also launched an alert in Karachi. It has blocked expressways so that aircraft such as fighters and transport aircraft can be launched,” said an official.
economictimes
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