Pakistan to create new force in military to supervise missiles after India conflict

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan will create a new force in the military to supervise missile combat capabilities in a conventional conflict, apparently a move to match its neighbour India.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force late on Aug 13 at a ceremony held in Islamabad to commemorate the worst conflict in decades with India in May.

The ceremony was held a day ahead of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day.

“It will be equipped with modern technology,” Mr Sharif said in a statement from his office, adding that the force will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the combat capability of Pakistan’s army.

He did not give any further details.

A senior security official, however, said that the force will have its own command in the military which will be dedicated to handling and deployment of missiles in the event of a conventional war.

“It is obvious that it is meant for India,” he said.

The two nuclear-armed nations have been upgrading their military capabilities in the wake of a longstanding rivalry since their independence from British rule in 1947.

The latest tension between the two countries started in April over the

killing of 26 civilians

in Indian-run Kashmir, an attack New Delhi blamed on Islamabad. Pakistan denied involvement.

A conflict then erupted in May, the most serious fighting between the two countries in decades, which saw both sides using missiles, drones and fighter jets before it ended with a cease-fire announcement by US President Donald Trump.

Islamabad acknowledges the US role, but India denies it, saying it was agreed directly between the two militaries. REUTERS