The Indian Air Force(IAF) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a major aerial exercise to be conducted from July 23 to 25. The exercise will be held across parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, particularly stretching from Barmer to Jodhpur, close to the international border with Pakistan.
Led by the South Western Air Command, the drill will involve frontline combat jets such as Rafales, Mirage 2000s, and Sukhoi-30s, along with air defence systems and support aircraft. Night operations are also planned, testing the IAF’s round-the-clock warfare capabilities.
The Indian side describes this as part of routine operational readiness. However, in a parallel move, Pakistan has also issued NOTAMs, indicating military airspace restrictions in its central zone until July 23 and southern zone from July 22 to 23.
The Strategic Layer: Op Sindoor Isn’t Over
This exercise isn’t happening in isolation. It follows the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 Hindu civilians were killed in cold blood by Pakistan-backed terrorists. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a targeted strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
While India didn’t officially confirm details, leaks and local reports from Pakistan indicated significant damage and casualties.
But what followed was more revealing:
- Terrorists’ funerals were attended publicly by Pakistani officials
- Pro-jihad rallies were held openly in Pakistan
- Known terror leaders hosted events with state participation
This defiance has only deepened the belief across India that Operation Sindoor is far from complete.
A Nation Waiting for the Next Strike
Public discourse in India is clear: Part 2 is coming. The belief is that Pakistan’s continued arrogance and open support for terror demands a harsher second wave of strikes. And this time, it won’t be limited.
The IAF drill near the border, coming so soon after Sindoor, has reignited speculation. Is this preparation for the next hit? Or is this the hit itself?
Pakistan’s hurried issuance of NOTAMs suggests it’s taking no chances. Even if a strike doesn’t occur, the psychological weight of expectation is real, and costly.
The Genius of India’s Strategy: Damned if You Do, Bleeding if You Don’t
This is where India’s long game becomes visible. The IAF exercise serves multiple goals:
If a strike happens, terrorists are hit again, harder.
If no strike happens, Pakistan is still forced to respond – militarily and financially.
For Pakistan, each exercise by India is a budgetary nightmare. Despite its crippling economic crisis, Islamabad must mirror India’s preparations to remain “ready.” But readiness costs money—fuel, logistics, deployment, alerts—resources Pakistan doesn’t have.
And yet, the military controls the civilian government. So the army must act, even if it bleeds the economy dry.
Economy on the Edge
This uncertainty also paralyzes terrorist operations. Constant fear of airstrikes leaves them hiding, unable to plan freely by the Pakistan’s ISI.
Meanwhile, as India continues these pressure tactics, Pakistan burns cash, loses morale, and faces internal cracks between civilians and the army.
It’s a win-win for India:
Strike: take down terror leaders and camps.
No strike: bankrupt Pakistan through forced military posture and permanent alertness.
And while Pakistan bleeds from within, India remains flexible, dominant, and in control of the tempo.
The Skies May Be Calm, But the Message Is Loud
Whether or not Operation Sindoor Part 2 launches this week, the message has been delivered. India is ready. Pakistan must always assume the strike is coming. That uncertainty? It’s now part of India’s doctrine.
And in war, that’s called psychological supremacy.
