WEBDESK: India has conducted new artillery trials at the Pokhran firing range, testing advanced 155mm long range howitzers. These Pokhran Artillery Tests have triggered serious concern across South Asia. Defence experts view the move as a sign of New Delhi’s increasing hostility towards Pakistan.
Marketed under the slogan “Loud, Lethal and Unmatched,” Indian defence officials hailed the trials as a milestone in military advancement. However, regional observers insist it’s more than just defensive preparation it’s a strategic warning to Pakistan.
A senior Pakistani defence analyst noted, “This isn’t merely weapons testing. It’s a message. The choice of Pokhran a highly sensitive site shows India is adopting a more aggressive defence policy.”
India Seeks Redemption After Operation Sindoor Setback
The Pokhran Artillery Tests come as India struggles to move past the failure of Operation Sindoor, a military operation that reportedly exposed deep flaws in Indian planning and leadership. Independent experts say the operation was a political embarrassment for New Delhi.
In response, India has turned to local arms production to recover its lost credibility. The artillery trials are now seen as part of that redemption campaign a display of strength to mask strategic weakness.
Indian authorities continue to present these actions as routine defence development. But in Islamabad, analysts see the pattern differently. One expert warned, “These are not ordinary drills. India is rejecting dialogue and leaning toward confrontation. It’s choosing muscle over maturity.”
A Dangerous Road: Militarised Nationalism Over Diplomacy
According to defence sources, the Pokhran Artillery Tests may also be tied to preparations for possible future military actions across the border. Such scenarios are alarming for a region already burdened by distrust and unresolved disputes.
Many experts believe that India’s current defence approach is no longer about security, but about political pride. Nationalism now seems tightly bound to military might, with diplomacy sidelined.
Azaad Research warns that the Pokhran Artillery Tests could mark the start of a fresh arms race in South Asia. They could further erode chances for dialogue, confidence-building, or lasting peace.
In the case of Pakistan, these tests remind them that India is all about war and not peace. With the damaged military image, New Delhi has not been able to draw itself out of the problem and instead of it muling the situation out, it has put the entire region in a possible second round of strategic tension and aggression.
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