ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Aviation attack helicopters executed ameticulously planned air exercise over Jhelum city on 14 November 2025,approximately 190 kilometres from the Wagah Border. The drills, conductedin close proximity to the Punjab University Jhelum Campus (PUJC), simulateddefensive and offensive manoeuvres against a hypothetical enemy incursion,underscoring the military’s readiness in a volatile security environment.
Eyewitnesses reported a fleet of advanced rotary-wing aircraft, includingAH-1 Cobra and potentially Mi-35M Hind gunships, performing low-altitudepasses, rapid deployment simulations, and coordinated strikes on designatedground targets. The exercise commenced at dawn and continued for severalhours, with plumes of smoke rising from mock battlefields to replicatereal-time combat conditions. Local authorities had issued priornotifications to residents, ensuring minimal disruption while maintainingoperational secrecy.
This mock operation was explicitly framed as a countermeasure to recentIndian military exercises conducted perilously close to the shared border.Intelligence assessments indicate that Indian forces have intensifiedlive-fire drills and troop movements in the Punjab and Rajasthan sectorsover the past fortnight, prompting Pakistan’s reciprocal demonstration ofaerial prowess. Analysts interpret the timing as a strategic signal, aimedat deterring potential aggression and reaffirming deterrence capabilitieswithout escalating to actual conflict.
The choice of Jhelum as the exercise venue holds symbolic and tacticalsignificance. Situated along the Grand Trunk Road and near criticalriverine crossings, the area mirrors potential flashpoints in anycross-border scenario. By integrating urban terrain into the drills, thePakistan Army Aviation Corps highlighted its adaptability to hybrid warfarethreats, including anti-armour operations and close air support for groundtroops. Such exercises enhance interoperability between aviation units andinfantry divisions, a lesson drawn from past conflicts and ongoingcounter-terrorism operations in the western theatres.
From a broader foreign policy perspective, this display aligns withPakistan’s doctrine of credible minimum deterrence. It serves as acalibrated response to India’s reported acquisition of advanced aerialplatforms and border infrastructure development under initiatives like theVibrant Villages programme. Diplomatic channels remain open, yet militaryposturing on both sides risks miscalculation. The exercise coincides withheightened rhetoric from New Delhi regarding alleged cross-borderinfiltration, further straining bilateral ties already frayed by theKashmir dispute.
Military experts commend the professionalism exhibited, noting theincorporation of electronic warfare countermeasures and night-visioncompatible operations, which reflect investments in modernisation despiteeconomic constraints. However, they caution that frequent such drills couldstrain resources and provoke unintended escalations if not accompanied byconfidence-building measures.
Read Top Stories
The Pakistan Army’s spokesperson confirmed the exercise was routine andpre-scheduled, emphasising its defensive nature. No violations of airspacewere reported, and coordination with civil aviation authorities ensuredsafety. This event reinforces Pakistan’s commitment to safeguardingsovereignty while navigating complex regional dynamics.
In conclusion, the Jhelum air exercise exemplifies proactive defenceplanning, balancing deterrence with restraint in an era of persistentIndo-Pak tensions.
Source: www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6789″>https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=6789Source: www.dawn.com/news/1876543″>https://www.dawn.com/news/1876543