India, Pak hold simultaneous war drills

The Indian and Pakistani armies are to hold virtually simultaneous exercises on both sides of the International Border.

T he Indian and Pakistani armies are to hold virtually simultaneous exercises, possibly facing off each other across the International Border.

The Indian Army is to conduct an exercise in Rajasthan in the middle of April, comprising armored, artillery and infantry elements from its Mathura-based I Corps and Bhatinda-based X Corps. The exercise, Yodha Shakti (Warrior Power), is also to include elements from the Indian Air Force (IAF), especially for close air support. According to sources, the exercise will mobilize some 50,000 troops.

A few days earlier this Saturday, the Pakistan Army will begin its exercise Azm-e-Nau (New Resolve) III, which, according to some observers in the Indian Army, could validate innovations in the existing Pakistani doctrine of Offensive-Defense, first devised after the exercise Zarb-e-Momin (Retaliation/Riposte/Strike by the faithful) in 1989. The exercise, is expected to involve the participation of some 50,000 troops from the Bahawalpur-based XXXI Corps and the Multan-based II Corps, also known as Army Reserve South.

The Pakistan Air Force is already conducting an exercise called High Mark 2010, which involves maneuvers through the length of the country. The IAF too conducted a firepower demonstration called Vayu Shakti (Air Power) at Pokhran in February-end.

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Follow Saurabh Joshi on Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/saurabhjoshi Saurabh is a journalist based in New Delhi, India who has worked in print, television as well as internet news media. Besides defense and strategy, his past assignments have included reporting from Kashmir, coverage of terror strikes as well as election coverage from all over India. He has a Bachelors degree in Journalism (Honors) as well as a law degree (LLB), both from the University of Delhi.

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