Post Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan amassed troops at Shakargarh Bulge

NEW DELHI: The Indian defence establishment was outraged when Pakistan violated the understanding to stop all cross-border military action from 5pm onwards on Saturday by sending another wave of drones across the entire western front later that night.

Lt General Ghai had on Sunday declared that India would deliver "a fierce and punitive response" if Pakistan violated the bilateral understanding, with Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi granting "full authority" to commanders for "counteraction in the kinetic domain" to any more misadventures.

As for the build-up after the Pahalgam terror massacre, Pakistan has moved several reserve army formations, tanks and Chinese-made SH-15 self-propelled 155mm howitzers closer to the LoC as well as the International Border. India, of course, had also made "mirror deployments" of its forces.

Sources said the Shakargarh Bulge, which protrudes into India between the Chenab and Ravi rivers, was one of the places where a major build-up of tanks and armoured vehicles by the Pakistan army was spotted.

The area's flat terrain and its proximity to Indian cities such as Amritsar, Pathankot, Batala and Gurdaspur as well as road links to Jammu makes it a high priority area for the Indian Army. It was the site of the famous 'Battle of Basantar' during the 1971 war.