Pakistan Deploys Chinese Howitzers and Conducts Military Drills Amid Rising Tensions with India

Pakistan has significantly ramped up its military preparedness along the Indian border in the wake of the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and sharply escalated tensions between the two countries.

In a notable military move, Pakistan has deployed Chinese-made SH-15 155mm self-propelled howitzers near the Line of Control (LoC) and the Longewala sector in Rajasthan. These advanced artillery units, capable of launching precision-guided shells up to 53 kilometers, reflect Pakistan’s ongoing artillery modernisation program. In 2019, Pakistan had procured 236 of these systems from China, highlighting the strategic defense cooperation between the two nations.

Alongside this deployment, the Pakistan Army and Air Force have initiated large-scale military exercises. The air force is currently running three major drills—Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin, and Zarb-e-Haidari—featuring combat jets like the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. These operations are supported by Saab airborne early warning aircraft to improve surveillance and response capabilities. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army’s Strike Corps is conducting tactical field exercises, and the Airport Security Force has been placed on heightened alert to safeguard key airbases.

Radar systems and electronic warfare units have reportedly been moved to forward areas. In the Sialkot sector, radar coverage has been enhanced, while near the Ferozepur border, electronic warfare assets have been positioned to monitor and potentially counter Indian air operations.

This military posturing follows India’s strong response to the Pahalgam attack. The Indian government has granted its armed forces operational freedom to retaliate, suspended the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, and tightened visa policies for Pakistani nationals. In parallel, Indian forces have increased vigilance along the border, conducting live-fire artillery drills and naval exercises off the coast of Gujarat, including anti-ship missile tests in proximity to Pakistani maritime activity.

Cross-border hostilities have seen a noticeable uptick. Pakistani forces have fired small arms and machine guns at Indian positions along the LoC, drawing firm counter-attacks from the Indian side. Both militaries are now operating on high alert, with Pakistan reportedly keeping its navy on standby, anticipating the possibility of a broader Indian response.

Pakistan’s reliance on Chinese weaponry and intensified air defence deployments reveal its strategic efforts to counterbalance India’s larger and more advanced military capabilities, especially in naval and artillery domains.

While both nations continue to flex military muscle, Indian officials maintain confidence in their defensive posture and reiterate their determination to respond decisively to any acts of cross-border terrorism. The current situation serves as yet another reminder of the fragile nature of India-Pakistan relations, where military escalation and diplomatic brinkmanship coexist in a delicate balance to avoid all-out conflict.