As Tensions Rise, India Conducts Military Exercise Along Pakistan Border In Thar Desert

As tensions rise between India and Pakistan over Islamabad’s support for cross-border terrorism and an attempt to frame a former Indian naval officer as a spy, New Delhi has conducted a major military exercise in the Thar desert.

According to Hindi daily Amar Ujala, over 20,000 soldiers from the Army's Chetak Corps, along with tanks, artillery, participated in the exercise. The army also put to test in the exercise the equipment it has inducted in recent years, including advance censors.

Lieutenant General Ashwani Kumar, General Officer Commanding Chetak Corps, has said that the exercise was a success and expressed his satisfaction over the performance of the soldiers in the heat of the Thar desert.

The exercise was conducted to assess the operational preparedness of the army. The army also put to test the equipment it has inducted in the last few years. However, the exercise is also being seen as one sending a message to Pakistan.