ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets on Monday carried out "off-runway" operations on multiple locations along national motorways and highways, PAF said in a statement.
“After landing, PAF fighter aircraft were refuelled and re-armed,” the force said in a brief statement. “The exercise was conducted to demonstrate the capability of PAF in being able to sustain high tempo air operations.”
Authorities closed the motorway at multiple points during the day because of the exercise.
The drills come at a time of simmering tensions between Pakistan and India who almost went to war last month as they exchanged airstrikes and engaged in aerial dogfights.
Ties have frozen since a suicide attack killed more than 40 paramilitary troopers in the Pulwama district of Indian-administered Kashmir last month. India blames Pakistan-based militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad for the attack. Pakistan denies any state complicity and has since launched a renewed crackdown against banned groups and their leaders.
