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Last Updated:May 06, 2025, 09:48 IST
There is growing concern about India’s rapid mobilisation and advanced defence systems, like S-400 missile systems, which could overpower Pakistan's defences in a conventional war
A leaked 2024 memo from the Rawalpindi Corps highlighted severe shortages, including winter gear in Siachen, forcing soldiers to reuse frostbitten clothing. (AP)
All’s not well in the Pakistan Army which is facing significant internal crises, with junior officers criticising Rawalpindi’s strategies for ignoring frontline challenges amid strained ties with India in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror strike.
Sources close to the Pakistan Army say the internal dissent highlights strategic, economic, and morale-related issues within the ranks. Mid-ranking officers are questioning the viability of Pakistan’s reliance on proxy groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), arguing that these tactics no longer provide plausible deniability and risk large-scale Indian retaliation.
The 2019 Balakot airstrike by India exposed Pakistan’s vulnerability to cross-border strikes and diplomatic isolation, revealing that proxy tactics have not altered the status quo in Kashmir. Officers contend that Pakistan gains little beyond symbolic victories, while the country continues to suffer from global sanctions, such as the FATF grey-listing until 2022.
There is also growing concern among officers about India’s rapid mobilisation and advanced defence systems, like the S-400 missile systems, which could overpower Pakistan’s defences in a conventional war, the sources added. Proxy attacks, such as the 2023 Poonch ambush, risk escalating into such a scenario.
Economic challenges further exacerbate the situation, with inflation at 38 per cent and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 88 per cent slashing defence spending. The 2023-2024 military budget saw a 15 per cent cut, and the government has enforced austerity measures. Junior officers report delays of 3–6 months in hazard pay, with some units crowdfunding for basic supplies. Troops in Kashmir rely on outdated Type 56 rifles and lack night-vision gear, while Indian forces have modern Sig Sauer rifles and Heron drones.
A leaked 2024 memo from the Rawalpindi Corps highlighted severe shortages, including winter gear in Siachen, forcing soldiers to reuse frostbitten clothing. Artillery units along the LoC face shell shortages, with stockpiles at only 30 per cent of operational requirements. Funds for infrastructure like bunkers and surveillance posts are being redirected to debt servicing, weakening defensive positions.
Soldiers in forward posts report using civilian smartphones for surveillance due to a lack of military-grade drones. Those stationed in Kashmir and LoC sectors endure 12–18-month rotations without respite, compared to India’s 3–6-month rotations. A 2023 Armed Forces Health Survey revealed that 25 per cent troops exhibited PTSD symptoms, with suicide rates up 40 per cent since 2020. Forward posts lack essential facilities, leading to tragic incidents like the deaths of six soldiers from frostbite in the Gurez sector in 2023 due to inadequate gear.
Families of deployed troops face neglect, with delayed compensation for casualties and poor access to healthcare. Recruitment from conflict-prone regions like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dropped by 35 per cent in 2023, as locals avoid what they see as suicidal postings. Over 200 soldiers deserted in 2023, with many citing hopelessness in the Kashmir operation.
The revelations come at a time when Pakistan is flexing its muscle and threatening India with military escalation after the latter vowed to avenge the Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people—mostly tourists—were shot dead as they soaked in the beauty of the serene Baisaran Valley.
Location :Islamabad, Pakistan
First Published:News world Slashed Military Budget, Outdated Gear & Demoralised Soldiers: Internal Challenges Rock Pakistan Army | Exclusive
