The Indian Army has reportedly deployed T-72 tanks to the Line of Control (LoC), utilizing them in Operation Sindoor on May 7th to dismantle terrorist bases situated in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. According to an NDTV interview with an unnamed Indian Army Colonel, the tanks, along with BMP-2 armored personnel carriers, are still stationed along the LoC, demonstrating the army's readiness despite the ongoing ceasefire with Pakistan.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 25 Indian and one Nepali tourist. The Indian military operation targeted the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, reportedly eliminating over 100 terrorists, some of whom were wanted for previous attacks in India, including the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane.
The T-72 tanks played a crucial role in destroying routes used by terrorists to infiltrate into India. While the tanks were used sparingly to prevent escalation, their 125 mm guns and missiles with a range of 4,000 meters provided deadly accuracy. According to the Colonel, only a fraction of the available equipment was used during the operation, highlighting the potential for a more devastating response if needed.
In addition to Operation Sindoor, the Indian military has been actively engaged in readiness exercises. Live firing drills have been conducted in the Arabian Sea, and the Air Force has carried out Exercise Akraman in central India. Mechanized forces have also been performing battlefield drills in Rajasthan, and special heliborne operations are being practiced. These exercises have occurred amidst continued small arms fire along the LoC, with Pakistani troops reportedly targeting Indian positions.
The Indian Army has also commenced artillery firing exercises along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, utilizing various artillery weapons to signal preparedness. Furthermore, the army has begun deploying loitering ammunition, also known as "kamikaze drones," along the LoC to counter the increasing attempts by Pakistan to infiltrate terrorists into the Kashmir Valley. These drones offer precision and persistence, reflecting a shift toward advanced technology in border security. The army has been testing indigenous systems like the Nagastra-1 and has also deployed the Harop drone from Israel Aerospace Industries in "hot zones" like Poonch and Kupwara.
Amid these developments, Pakistan's armed forces have also been conducting exercises near the LoC and in the Arabian Sea. The Pakistan Air Force has been holding exercises involving frontline fighter jets, and the Pakistan Army has been conducting 'Exercise Hammer Strike' near the LoC. These activities have taken place against a backdrop of heavy mobilization of military equipment, including artillery and tanks.
