In the aftermath of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of at least 26 tourists, reports have emerged suggesting Pakistan may be mobilizing its military assets near the Jammu and Kashmir border. Defence observers, analyzing online flight tracking data, have indicated that Pakistani aircraft—particularly C-130s—are being repositioned to forward bases, possibly in anticipation of an Indian military response.
Retired Naval Maritime Pilot Cdr. Sandeep Dhawan highlighted on X that the Pakistan Air Force’s C-130s were making repeated rounds over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “Are they preparing for our reaction? Or deploying more terrorists in the region? Either way, tensions are clearly escalating,” he noted.
Egyptian journalist Khaled Mahmoued also reported that the Pakistan Air Force has been placed on high alert, citing widespread anticipation of an Indian retaliation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his initial response to the attack, assured the nation that the perpetrators “will not go unpunished.”
Echoing the demand for a strong countermeasure, former J&K Director General of Police, S.P. Vaid, compared the Pahalgam massacre to the 2019 Pulwama attack. He described it as “no coincidence,” alleging it was a “well-planned” operation likely executed by Pakistan’s SSG commandos disguised as militants. “The response should mirror Israel’s swift and decisive actions following the Hamas attacks,” he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Srinagar Tuesday night for a high-level security review, expressed his condolences and reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. “Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits will face the harshest consequences,” Shah stated.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident, which unfolded around 2:30 pm in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam—a major tourist hub—has been labeled one of the deadliest civilian-targeted terror strikes in recent years. Among the victims were foreign nationals from the UAE and Nepal.
In a decisive move, Prime Minister Modi curtailed his official visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to India on Wednesday morning to oversee the country’s strategic response.
