Daijiworld Media Network- Islamabad

Islamabad, Aug 14: In a move seen as a direct counter to India’s strategic preparedness, Pakistan has announced the formation of a dedicated Army Rocket Force to oversee and manage missile combat capabilities during conventional conflicts.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement late Wednesday at a ceremony in Islamabad marking the anniversary of the May conflict — the most intense military engagement with India in decades. The event was held on the eve of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day.

Sharif stated that the newly-formed force “will be equipped with modern technology” and would be a “milestone in strengthening the combat capabilities of Pakistan’s army.”

While official details remain scarce, a senior security official revealed that the Army Rocket Force will have an independent command structure within the military, tasked specifically with the handling and deployment of missiles in the event of a conventional war. “It is obvious that it is meant for India,” the official remarked.

Tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad escalated sharply in April following the killing of 26 people in Kashmir — an attack India blamed on Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denied. The situation culminated in May’s Operation Sindoor, during which both nations deployed missiles, drones, and fighter jets, before a ceasefire was brokered by US President Donald Trump.