The Indian Air Force (IAF) launched a major combat drill near the India-Pakistan International Border in Rajasthan on Saturday (June 7), amid tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and the consequent Operation Sindoor.
India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the aerial exercise, set to take place from 3:30 PM on June 7 until 9:30 PM on June 8, restricting airspace over the region to facilitate safe and efficient operations.
What will the exercise involve?
The combat drill is part of the IAF’s routine operational preparedness exercises and will involve advanced frontline aircraft, including Rafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets. Surveillance platforms and various support systems will also participate, demonstrating comprehensive air operational capabilities.
“The exercise will reinforce our readiness and showcase our ability to respond effectively to various threat scenarios,” an IAF official stated.
Why is this exercise significant?
Though the Ministry of Defence has not explicitly linked the exercise to current geopolitical tensions, its timing and location are particularly noteworthy. Relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 people.
India’s subsequent ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, a direct response to the attack, further intensified regional tensions. Recent airspace closures between India and Pakistan have exacerbated diplomatic strains, with reciprocal airspace restrictions implemented by both countries.