DRDO's AKASH advanced air defence system made by Bharat Dynamics Limited

The Indian Army has decided to move its air defence units to Pakistan border to thwart enemy aerial intrusions. After Balakot air strikes, Indian Army has decided to move its air defence units to Pakistan border to thwart enemy aerial strikes. Akash is indigenously produced surface-to-air missile for the Indian Army

New Delhi: The Indian Army has decided to move its air defence units deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan to forward locations near Pakistan border to thwart enemy aerial strikes. 

According to reports, the decision was taken after an internal review of the recent conflict with Pakistan after the Balakot air strikes - carried out by the Indian air force targeting the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camps across the Line of Control.

With these air defence units deployed closer to the border, we would be able to tackle any possible aerial strike from enemy side and thwart it close to the border itself, a top Army source was quoted by ANI as saying.

Air defence unit of the Army comes under Corps of Army Air Defence (AAD) currently led by Lt General AP Singh. Its weapon systems include the DRDO-Israel joint venture MR-SAM, indigenous Akash air defence missile systems, Bofors 40 mm gun, and other older generation weapon systems like S-125 Neva/Pechora, 2K22 Tunguska and others.

This has come after reports revealed that around 300 Pakistani tanks continue to be deployed along the border in the strategic Shakargarh sector. After the Balakot air strikes, Pakistan had moved its Army along the border but after de-escalation, both the countries reduced its military presence along the border.

However, it's being learnt that some elements of its three brigades - 124 Armoured Brigade, 125 Armoured Brigade and 8 and 15 divisions continue to remain deployed in this area.

A report by Times Now had quoted a top government official as saying that though Pakistan 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.