Pak Army Ramps Up Counter-UAS Deployments Along Line of Control After Operation Sindoor
Pakistan rushes defenses fearing Operation Sindoor sequel.
In a clear indication of heightened apprehension within the Pakistani military establishment, authorities have accelerated the deployment of advanced counter-drone systems along the Line of Control in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Intelligence reports reveal significant new installations of counter-unmanned aerial systems opposite key sectors including Rawalakot, Kotli, and Bhimber, driven by concerns over a potential repeat of India's precision strikes during Operation Sindoor earlier this year. This buildup reflects ongoing unease about India's demonstrated capabilities in drone warfare and rapid response to security threats across the border.
More than 30 specialized anti-drone units have now been positioned along the LoC, operating under the oversight of the 12th Infantry Division based in Murree and the 23rd Infantry Division controlling the Kotli-Bhimber axis. These deployments aim to bolster airspace monitoring and electronic warfare defenses in forward areas, signaling a strategic prioritization of protecting vulnerable positions from aerial incursions. Sector-specific responsibilities have been assigned, with the 2nd Azad Kashmir Brigade managing Rawalakot areas facing Poonch, the 3rd Azad Kashmir Brigade covering Kotli opposite Rajouri, Poonch, Naushera, and Sunderbani, and the 7th Azad Kashmir Brigade handling Bhimber.
The systems inducted include a combination of electronic "soft-kill" and kinetic countermeasures. Notable among them is the spider counter-UAS platform, utilizing passive radio-frequency detection to identify small loitering munitions and drones at distances up to 10 kilometers. Complementing this are man-portable Safrah anti-UAV jamming guns, capable of disrupting control signals, video feeds, and GPS navigation within a 1.5-kilometer radius. These tools represent an effort to counter low-altitude, hard-to-detect threats that proved effective in previous engagements.
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Beyond electronic measures, Pakistan has integrated conventional air defense assets, such as Oerlikon GDF 35mm twin-barrel anti-aircraft guns with radar guidance and Anza Mk-II and Mk-III man-portable air defense systems. These are designed to engage slow-moving, low-flying targets, enhancing layered protection against potential drone swarms or precision munitions. The moves underscore perceptions of an evolving Indian military doctrine, characterized by integrated tri-service drills and advanced technological applications along the western frontier.
This defensive posture follows Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives, where Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure and military sites, leading to a brief but intense confrontation ending in a ceasefire on May 10. Reports indicate Pakistan is simultaneously engaging in discussions with Turkey and China to acquire additional drones and air defense technologies, aiming to address vulnerabilities exposed during the operation and prepare for future contingencies amid persistent regional tensions.
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