ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India are close to returning their troop deployments along the border to pre-conflict levels following the recent military clashes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), told Reuters on Friday that the drawdown process has almost reached the status before the escalation earlier this month. However, he cautioned that the risk of future escalation remains high.
Progress on Troop Reduction Amid Tense Relations
The troop reductions come after a tense standoff triggered by India’s accusations against Pakistan regarding a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which Islamabad has denied.
In early May, India launched air strikes inside Pakistan, killing civilians, while Pakistan retaliated by downing five Indian jets. The tit-for-tat aerial exchanges and drone interceptions escalated tensions until the United States brokered a ceasefire on May 10.
General Mirza confirmed that both militaries are working to reduce forces back to pre-April 22 levels, marking an important step toward de-escalation.
Concerns Over Future Conflict and Limited Communication
Despite the drawdown, Gen Mirza warned that the crisis exposed vulnerabilities and increased the danger of miscalculation in future confrontations.
He stressed that the latest conflict extended beyond Kashmir, signaling a shift that could see broader regional hostilities.
He also noted the absence of effective crisis management tools or robust communication channels between Pakistan and India, aside from some hotlines between military directors. Mirza expressed concern that the international community may have limited time to intervene in future crises, increasing the likelihood of destruction before mediation is possible.
Gen Mirza emphasized Pakistan’s openness to dialogue but acknowledged no backchannel talks or informal negotiations are currently underway.
Meanwhile, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that the Indian Navy would respond decisively to any future aggression from Pakistan, highlighting ongoing military preparedness despite the ceasefire.
