PAF to Reportedly Conduct Tactical Exercise Amid Tensions With India

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is reportedly set to commence an intensive joint tactical exercise in the southern region of the country under the name “Zarb-e-Haideri”, Pakistan Strategic Forum reported on X.

Intense flying operations are expected to start soon as part of the drills.

According to Pakistan Strategic Forum, an independent think tank managed by an international team of researchers, all major PAF assets will participate in the exercise.

These include:

• J-10C Vigorous Dragon fighter jets
• F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft
• JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft
• HQ-9 High to Medium Air Defence (HIMAD) systems
• Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft
• Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), including High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) and Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones
• Killer drones
• Jamming systems and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT/ELINT) platforms, both air and ground-based

This exercise comes at a critical time, following heightened tensions between Pakistan and India after the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan has rejected all allegations. Officials in Islamabad have called for a “transparent and credible investigation” under international supervision, and warned against any “adventurism” by India that could escalate tensions.