IAF to conduct large-scale military drills along India-Pakistan border

Fighter jets including Rafale, Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft will be taking part in the 2-day drill

fighter-jets-rafale-reuters (FILE) Indian Air Force's Rafale fighter jets fly past at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India | Reuters

Amid rising tensions with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force will hold a large-scale military drill along the Indo-Pak border on Wednesday. The two-day wargame will involve all the frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft. 

The civil aviation authorities already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the major air exercise that will largely take place along the southern and western sections of the Indo-Pakistan border.

The drills will begin at 9 pm on Wednesday and conclude at 3 am on Friday. Flights operating along the border will be suspended during the period. 

Fighter jets Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft are set to feature in the exercise, said sources. 

During the military drill, the IAF will simulate enemy targets on the ground and in the air with deadly precision. 

Since the terror attack on April 22, both India and Pakistan have been on high alert, especially, along the border. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has entrusted the armed forces with "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the terror attack. 

Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh met PM Modi on Sunday and the Chief of Air Staff briefed him about the IAF's operational readiness.

PM Modi on suspension of Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan 

Reiterating India's stand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made it clear that the decision to put a freeze on the Indus Water Treaty will not be reversed. "India's water will be used for India's interests," he said. 

"There is a lot of discussion in the media about water...Earlier, even the water that was India's right was flowing out of the country. Now, India's water will flow for India's benefit, it will be conserved for India's benefit, and it will be used for India's progress," said Modi at an ABP Network event. 

India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The other measures included shutting down the border and cancelling the visas of Pakistan nationals in India. 

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