Defense Update

Representational image/ Twitter: Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, DG ISPR Pakistan  | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspTwitter

New Delhi: It has been more than two months since the Balakot air strikes in Pakistan but Islamabad continues to stay on alert at the border. Despite the first signs of de-escalation, close to 300 Pakistani tanks continue to be deployed along the border in the strategic Shakargarh sector.

After putting a considerable chunk of its Army along the border after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, Pakistan has reduced the military deployment along the border — though carefully — as some elements of its three brigades - 124 armoured brigade, 125 armoured brigade and 8 and 15 divisions continue to remain deployed in this area.

According to a report by Times Now channel, the holding formations of Pakistan's 30 Corps are being supported by an independent armoured brigade. Citing government sources, the report further said that the offensive formation elements may be supported by infantry units. 

The military build up reportedly began after the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy wherein a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist blew up a bus carrying CRPF personnel along the Jammu Srinagar Highway killing 43 paramilitary personnel.

The report cited government sources as saying that the Pakistan Army has not moved its offensive formations - 1 and 2 Corps ever since the build-up first took place. The Shakargarh bulge buildup is a reason to worry- the report said citing sources. 

In February, the two countries were locked in an aerial battle following Indian Air Force's (IAF) 'non-military, pre-emptive' surgical operation in Balakot in which the IAF destroyed a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp inside Pakistan.