India ramps up military drills as tensions rise along LoC and with Pakistan

India has been flexing its muscles with a range of live firing drills and exercises, even as small arms firing continues along the Line of Control, with Pakistani troops targeting Indian positions for the third straight day. Officials said unprovoked small arms fire is being responded to and no casualties have been reported on the Indian side as of now.

Even as the government is evaluating a military response to target terrorists and their Pakistan-based handlers for the Pahalgam attack, the armed forces have been conducting live firing drills, battlefield drills by mechanised forces in Rajasthan and training missions for special heliborne operations.

Jodhpur-based 12 Corps is conducting 'validation' exercises involving frontline main battle tanks. The drills are aimed at "enhancing the combat efficiency of the formation to conduct sustained operations". During earlier conflicts with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, major battles were fought in the desert area, with Indian forces making significant inroads into Pakistani territory.


Jaipur-based South Western Command has been conducting drills for special heliborne operations. This includes insertion of special forces deep into enemy territory using Mi17 helicopters and other platforms. In the 1971 war, heliborne operations in Sylhet were key to the liberation of Bangladesh. Similar drills have been carried out by Jalandhar-based Vajra Corps in coordination with the Air Force.

On Sunday, Navy announced carrying out live firings in the Arabian sea to "demonstrate the readiness of platforms, systems, crew for long-range precision offensive strike". As reported earlier, IAF is undertaking an exercise in central India called 'Akraman'.