Sapta Shakti Command Rehearses Heliborne Raid Amid Indo-Pak Tensions Post-Pahalgam Massacre

Rajasthan , India — In a high-intensity display of combat readiness and inter-service synergy, the Indian Army’s Sapta Shakti Command executed a Special Heliborne Operations (SHBO) rehearsal on April 24, 2025. Described by the command as “Swift. Silent. Surgical,” the exercise underlines the growing prominence of heliborne tactics in India’s defence playbook. Carried out by troops under the X Corps, this drill comes just 48 hours after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, reaffirming India’s emphasis on rapid force projection and tactical surprise.

SHBOs involve the use of helicopters to transport troops, weapons, and equipment directly into operational zones—particularly where terrain, threats, or access constraints preclude ground movement. The South Western Command’s rehearsal illustrated the capability to conduct quick insertion, secure landing zones, and establish a forward presence in high-risk environments. As tensions continue to simmer on the western front and in Kashmir, such operations are not only relevant—they are necessary.

Precision Raid Simulated to Demonstrate Rapid Response in Restricted Terrain

The drill simulated a tactical airborne raid—troops airlifted by Mi-17 helicopters, supported by real-time reconnaissance assets, inserted into a contested zone, secured the objective, and withdrew—all under a tight operational timeline. These manoeuvres required detailed coordination between the Indian Army’s Aviation Corps and the Indian Air Force, replicating battlefield conditions where heliborne tactics must be executed under the threat of enemy fire and unpredictable terrain. The precision of troop deployment and extraction demonstrated the Army’s ability to mount an immediate, mobile, and lethal response—a core principle in modern counterinsurgency and hybrid warfare.

Notably, the HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) was also reportedly on standby, showcasing India’s layered approach to battlefield support. In operational scenarios such as those seen along the Line of Control (LoC), or in J&K’s dense forests and rugged mountains, such integration ensures that special forces or Ghatak Platoons can strike before adversaries can regroup.

From Counterinsurgency to Conventional Deterrence: SHBOs Expand Role of Army Aviation

The April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, allegedly orchestrated from across the border, has rekindled concerns about Pakistan-based proxy groups and the need for deep-strike, rapid-reaction forces. SHBOs provide a tactical edge by allowing Indian forces to penetrate deep into difficult terrain—ambushing militant hideouts, conducting reconnaissance patrols, or deploying recovery teams and casualty evacuation units. Beyond insurgency operations, the SHBO doctrine is equally relevant for conventional theatre warfare, especially in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert or the plains of Punjab , where open terrain allows for swift heliborne manoeuvre.

The Sapta Shakti Command, headquartered in Jaipur and led by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, was established in 2005 to bolster India’s operational bandwidth along the western theatre. With X Corps, an armoured brigade, and two RAPID divisions, the command is structured to deliver quick, high-volume ground force responses. The inclusion of SHBO elements elevates its strike tempo and enhances mission autonomy, particularly in scenarios where time is critical and terrain impedes mechanised movement.

Tactical Surprise, Seamless Execution: SHBOs Mature into India’s Strategic Arsenal

The execution of SHBOs demands multi-agency coordination, intense rehearsals, and advanced terrain mapping, often conducted by drone assets or airborne surveillance. The Indian Army’s operationalisation of over 300 rotary-wing platforms under the Aviation Corps—from the rugged Chetaks to the indigenous Dhruvs and new Rudra variants—has enabled higher autonomy in SHBO deployment. Joint training exercises with foreign forces, such as the Shakti series with France, have further refined these capabilities by simulating NATO-style interoperability, which Indian planners seek to emulate in high-risk engagements.

These heliborne rehearsals are not isolated demonstrations but part of a comprehensive force posture recalibration. With border volatility growing both in Kashmir and across the LAC in Ladakh, India’s focus is on building faster, leaner, and deadlier rapid action capabilities. SHBOs, by their very nature, offer the trifecta of speed, stealth, and surprise—making them indispensable to both counter-terror raids and forward-deployment scenarios in future conflicts.

Watch- Indian Navy Sends Strong Message Just Before Pak’s Hurriedly Planned Missile Test In Arabian Sea