Operation Sindoor: India plans to ‘rebalance’ forces at border, Pakistan to return to pre-April positions

Two weeks after the pause of India’s Operation Sindoor following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the military is discussing a plan to “rebalance troops” to prevent new border tensions, The Indian Express reported, citing sources. Meanwhile, Pakistan is also planning to revert to pre-April positions after it mobilsed troops along the international border.

This comes after a fierce standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Though, Operation Sindoor remains paused, and all alerts stay at heightened levels.

According to the report, both Indian and Pakistani armies are working on confidence-building measures and are considering reducing troops and equipment at the border within the next two weeks.

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Sources said Pakistan, which carried out major reinforcements of troops and equipment over the past few weeks, will also pull them back to pre-April locations.

Unlike Pakistan, which gathered large forces and military arsenals near the international border, India did not order any large-scale troop movements or deployment of offensive forces. Only some equipment and troops were moved from their usual bases to operational positions, and they are now expected to return to their regular locations.

Restrictions eased

During Operation Sindoor, there were more troops along the border mainly because leave was cancelled and non-essential movement was restricted.

However, sources told The Indian Express that these restrictions have now been lifted. Even short-term training courses, which were temporarily cancelled, will now continue as planned.

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India has directly accused Pakistan of involvement in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people, mostly tourists, were brutally killed by militants linked to Pakistan-based groups.

The attack has once again brought global attention to Pakistan’s ongoing policy of sheltering and using terrorists as tools of state policy.

Pahalgam terror attack

In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps and infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India’s precise military response

The Indian Armed Forces conducted precision strikes on nine identified terror sites, including key hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke, long known to house Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) bases.

Shaken by India’s offensive, Pakistan retaliated by targeting civilians across the Line of Control (LoC), further escalating tensions. Further, multiple drone attacks in the border cities were launched by Pakistan which were foiled by the Indian forces.

In retaliation, India attacked Pakistani bases and air force stations, which suffered heavy damage from Indian strikes.

India used advanced military assets, including Rafale jets armed with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, BrahMos cruise missiles, and loitering munitions to carry out the operation.

At a press briefing on Saturday, the Indian government said it does not seek further escalation but will firmly respond to any provocation.

During the joint briefing with the Ministry of Defence and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi confirmed that India had responded to all Pakistani military actions and that the armed forces remain on high alert.