Pakistan forms a new force in the army to oversee missiles

Pakistan has announced the creation of a new force within its army, tasked with overseeing missile combat capabilities, “in a move aimed at matching the capabilities of its neighbor, India.”

This announcement was made by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late on Wednesday during a ceremony held in Islamabad, focused on the worst conflict with India in decades, which took place last May.

The ceremony was held one day before Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day.

In a statement issued by his office, Sharif said of the new force: “It will be equipped with modern technology,” adding that it will mark “a significant milestone in strengthening the combat capabilities of the Pakistani army,” without providing further details.

Reuters, citing a senior security official, reported that the force will have a dedicated command within the army and will be assigned to handle and deploy missiles in the event of a conventional war.

He added: “It is clear that it was created to deal with India.”

The two nuclear-armed nations continue to upgrade their military capabilities in the context of a long-standing rivalry since their independence from British rule in 1947.

The latest escalation between the two countries occurred last April, following the killing of 26 civilians in the Indian-administered side of Kashmir, an attack New Delhi blamed on Islamabad, which Pakistan denied.

In May, a conflict broke out, marking the most intense fighting between the two countries in decades. Both sides used missiles, drones, and fighter jets before a ceasefire was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Islamabad acknowledges U.S. mediation, but India denies it, claiming the ceasefire agreement was reached directly between the two armies.