Amid escalating tensions along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Navy is planning a major exercise “Paschim Leher (western wave)" in the Arabian Sea from next week.
According to a report in Times of India, Indian Navy has also swung into action as both the Army and IAF airbases are already maintaining top-levels of operational readiness.
The TOI report says that over 40 warships and submarines, backed by maritime fighter jets, patrol aircraft and drones, have already begun to amass on the western seaboard for the intensive combat manoeuvres.
Quoting top defence sources, the report says that the drill will also include "a little cross-deployment" even from the eastern seaboard.
The report adds that the government has delegated emergency financial powers to the three Service vice-chiefs, Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat, Air Marshal B S Dhanoa and Vice Admiral K B Singh in order to expedite the purchase of ammunition for the armed forces.
Indian security establishment believes that General Raheel Sharif "may try something" in the form of BAT (border action team) operations or a major terror strike in the Indian mainland ahead of his retirement towards November-end.
"Gen Sharif may be angling for an extension as the Army chief or assuming some other important role despite his edgy equation with the Nawaz Sharif government,” TOI quoted one of its top defence sources as saying.
"The situation is not warlike. But it's certainly hot. Our forces have registered as many as 57 ceasefire violations by Pak forces since the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes against terror launch pads in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir a month ago on September 29," TOI quoted another source as saying.
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