Indian Air Force Begins High-Intensity War Games Along Indo-Pakistan border Amid Rising Tensions

New Delhi, May 6, 2025 – In a powerful display of military preparedness, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a massive two-day air exercise along the western and southern stretches of the Indo-Pakistan border starting Wednesday. This high-stakes drill comes at a time of mounting tensions between India and Pakistan, following the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 Indian citizens.

According to top defence sources, the war exercise involves all frontline fighter jets in India’s arsenal, including the highly advanced Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, and indigenous Tejas aircraft. The AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) will also play a critical role, enhancing India’s aerial surveillance and combat coordination capabilities during the drill.

The Indian Civil Aviation Authority has already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), restricting civilian airspace usage in the operational zones. This measure ensures the safety of both civilian and military operations as the IAF executes high-precision combat simulations over the border areas.

Simulating Real-World Threats with Precision

Sources from the defence establishment revealed that the IAF will simulate enemy air and ground targets with “deadly precision,” mimicking real-world wartime scenarios. The focus is on rapid response, coordination across air commands, and testing the full range of the Air Force’s tactical and strategic abilities.

“The objective is to validate our operational readiness and to send a strong message about India’s unwavering commitment to national security,” a senior IAF official said under condition of anonymity.

Backdrop of Pahalgam Attack and Political Response

This military build-up comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which New Delhi believes had strong cross-border linkages. Following the strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on April 29 with top defence chiefs. He gave the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the nature, timing, and scale of India’s response.

In the same vein, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh met with the Prime Minister over the weekend and briefed him on the IAF’s state of readiness. According to officials, the Air Chief reiterated that the force is fully prepared to defend national interests at any cost.

Navy and Air Force on High Alert

India’s strategic posture is not limited to the skies. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also briefed the Prime Minister on the current situation in the Arabian Sea, where naval assets are monitoring critical sea lanes amid rising regional instability.

Both air and naval commands are said to be on high operational alert, as India reinforces its defense preparedness on multiple fronts.

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Conclusion

As India carries out one of its largest military air drills in recent times, the message is loud and clear: India will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty and respond firmly to any provocation. With top-of-the-line aircraft and a robust command structure, the IAF’s two-day war exercise stands as a testament to the country’s unwavering military readiness.