Pakistan beefs up troops along Jammu and Kashmir border

NEW DELHI: Pakistan has beefed up troops along the Jammu and Kashmir boundary, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that certain elements from its western deployment currently combating terrorism on the Afghan front may also be on the move.

After India’s surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which have heightened tension and alertness, letters have also gone out to retired officers to update contact details and be prepared to be called in for reserve duty. The letters were received within days of the surgical strikes.

While the contact information on the reservist list is described as a standard administrative process — with officials emphasizing that no one has been called in from the reserves for duty — India has been building up a strong defensive posture on the northern and western borders.

Intelligence reports reveal that Pakistan has lined up additional troops along the Line of Control (LoC) after the surgical strikes. “There is fair amount of movement on the other side and troops have been brought to forward positions. However, their preparation levels do not seem to be very high,” sources told ET.

India formations too have been on high alert for a few days before the surgical strikes on September 23, with postings of top military commanders in the sensitive Northern Command put on hold. A defensive buildup has also been achieved by the western command that is in charge of the Punjab border.

Sources have told ET that on the Pakistani side too, all leaves have been cancelled.

The Army has also activated a border alert in the north and reserve troops have been moved close to the LoC to thwart any action post strikes. “As of now, there has not been a major breach of the ceasefire agreement and the reaction is not likely to be any kind of a conventional action. However, we are on the alert for any eventuality,” a senior military official said.