New Delhi, May 6 — The Indian Air Force (IAF) will begin a major two-day military exercise along the Pakistan border from Wednesday, deploying its entire fleet of frontline fighter jets and surveillance aircraft in a show of combat readiness amid escalating tensions with Islamabad.
According to defence establishment sources, the drill will include high-performance aircraft such as the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, and indigenous Tejas, along with Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) platforms.
The maneuvers will focus on simulating air and ground attacks with high precision across sectors of the southern and western borders.
“This is a significant readiness drill. We will simulate enemy targets both in the air and on the ground with operational intensity,” a senior official told reporters, declining to be named due to protocol.
The exercise comes against the backdrop of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. India has publicly attributed “cross-border linkages” to the incident and pledged a firm response.
Military preparedness on both sides has since increased, with armed forces in a heightened state of alert.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), marking restricted airspace in the region to facilitate the IAF’s operations.
Civilian flight routes near the Indo-Pak border have been adjusted accordingly.
The developments follow a series of high-level meetings chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a key security briefing on April 29, the prime minister granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to determine the timing, targets, and nature of India’s response.
“India will not let such attacks go unanswered. Our security forces are free to respond as they see fit,” Modi said during the meeting, according to sources present.
On Sunday, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh met the prime minister to update him on the IAF’s combat preparedness.
Earlier, on Saturday, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi had briefed Modi on maritime security and the situation in the Arabian Sea.
While no official statement has been issued by the IAF, officials indicated that such exercises are designed not only to test combat efficiency but also to send a clear strategic message about India’s state of readiness.
The military drill underscores India’s broader security posture as regional tensions continue to mount.
