Weeks after aerial face-off, Pak forces on alert to retaliate Indian aggression

Kaswar Klasra

Islamabad: Three weeks after the February 26 airstrikes, as Indian government and forces claim more evidence of Balakot strike being a successful one, Pakistan Air Force has lined up its F16s across the eastern border from Sindh in South to Skardu in North and deployed special forces along the Line of Control.

Rising passions on television news aired across both countries have only made matters worse. While Indians want a war against nurturing of terrorism aimed at destroying their nation, the Pakistanis seek strong retaliation against an enormous established enemy that helps Pakistan’s Army justify its massive expenses.

Global superpowers, including the United States, France and Saudi Arabia, have made efforts since mid-February to de-escalate tensions between the two neighbours. But, the preparations going on along the Pak-India border and within the Pakistan defence forces suggest otherwise. Pakistan has deployed its JF-17 fighter aircraft and a fleet of F-16 jets along the Indian border, apart from deploying heavy contingent of ground troops aided by sophisticated artillery and field hospitals along with LOC. Pakistani forces have called back all men from routine leave and suspended weekly holidays for an unspecified period.

Medical staff on alert too

Doctors, para-medical staff and consultants at armed forces-run hospitals across Pakistan have been advised to remain available round the clock and main army-run hospitals at Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta are functioning under a declared emergency.

Senior officials said in conversations that Pakistan’s armed forces are ready and will go extra miles to defend their homeland.

“We are fully equipped militarily to take the bull by the horns. But, we are still open for talks and try our level best to avoid war,” a senior military official told this correspondent, confirming that country’s air force, navy and ground forces are fully equipped and at standby to retaliate.

He avoided to be precise when asked if a squadron of F-16 fighter jets had been deployed at the border with India.

“As I said our air force, navy and ground forces are at standby. I hope you have got my point,” said the official, who has been directly involved in formulating strategy when it comes to counter Indian advance.

Background interviews and conversations with civilian and military officials in authoritative posts who wished to stay anonymous reveal that a fleet of JF-17 fighter jets, developed by China and Pakistan in collaboration, and an F-16 fighter jet squadron have been deployed at a newly developed airfield at a location in Gujrat district, close to the north-western border of India.

However, there was no official word on the development.

Imran for trade over war

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday asked tribesmen living in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan to standby in the wake of possible Indian aggression. “We don’t want to go at war with India. Rather, I’m ready to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. we want to open the doors of trade,” Khan said addressing a public rally in Bajaur district.

The last round of offensive fire exchange across LOC saw a lull only when Pakistan’s Director General Military Operations called his Indian counterpart on March 5 to resume their routine call, which he had discontinued since February 26. Two sides had been shelling heavy mortar and 120mm rounds in several sectors across the LOC and blaming each other for violating ceasefire.

Here, in Islamabad, PAF aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, have been regularly seen taking to the skies.

Tension across Pakistan is at an all time high following aerial strike by Indian fighter jets which allegedly pondered targets in Balakot, killing almost two hundred militants, according to Indian claims. This only followed a serious aerial clash between Indian and Pakistani aircraft over LOC leading to downing of an Indian jet and capture of its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was released 60 hours later by Pakistan in an attempt to de-escalate the aggravating tension.

With patrolling of its fighter jets across the LOC in broad daylight, Pakistan has made it clear that it wants the neighbour to not underestimate its ability to engage in armed conflict in order to safeguard its land, airspace and waters.

While country’s civilian leadership insisted they want peace and stability in the region, Pakistan Army said earlier on Thursday it is ready to thwart any “Indian aggression” amidst tense ties with New Delhi.

“Due to prevailing environment, Pakistan Army troops are at high alert along LoC with required safeguards along eastern border in place to thwart any Indian aggression,” the Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) of Pakistan Army stated.

Director General of Pakistan Military Media Wing told reporters earlier this week that both PAF and the Pakistan Navy (PN) “continue to stay fully alert” and remain ready to counter any ill-advised adventurism by India.

“The Pakistan Armed Forces are in a state of readiness for all eventualities,” the Pakistan Army had said in a press statement amid rising tensions in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group.

Courting China to call truce

In Islamabad, it is believed that China played vital role in diffusing tension between the two arch rivals. While Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi did ask ministers in both Pakistan and India last week to practice restraint and find a way to deescalate the situation, he did so only after repeated calls went to him from Pakistan foreign ministry.

Deputy head of Chinese mission in Islamabad, Zhao Lijian, said that China has played a “constructive” role in urging the two neighbour countries to restraint their forces.

Earlier this month, China’s Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visited Islamabad. During the visit, which concluded on March 6 last week, he reiterated Beijing’s support to Pakistan for peace and stability in the region and also acknowledged Islamabad’s measures against terrorism.

Earlier this month, Pakistan navy claimed to intercept an Indian submarine which allegedly attempted to sail into Pakistan’s water. Delhi denied Pakistan’s claim.

Pakistan said the incident occurred on March 4, 2019, when the country’s navy “detected and blocked” an Indian navy submarine from entering its waters. It released video footage which went viral on social media. Pakistani news channels aired the footage as ‘Breaking News’. The footage had shown an Indian submarine on a water surface with a timestamp of 8:35 pm, Monday, March 4 2019.

The Indian side on the night of March 13 put its air defense systems on alert after spotting two Pakistani jets in the airspace near LOC, Indian government sources were reported as saying.

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