Pakistan and India are nearing completion of a significant troop de-escalation along their tense border. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, confirmed the development during an interview at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Friday. This comes weeks after a brief but intense military exchange in early May.
Return to Pre-Conflict Status
General Mirza said both militaries had begun scaling back to positions held before April 22, when tensions flared over an alleged attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam. He stated, “We have almost come back to the pre-22nd April situation… or we must have approached that by
Escalation Risks Still Loom
Despite the de-escalation, Mirza warned the crisis has heightened future risks. Although nuclear weapons were not involved this time, the possibility of miscalculation remains. “Nothing happened this time,” he said. “But you can’t rule out a strategic miscalculation when a crisis is on.”
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He emphasized that the recent conflict went beyond Kashmir, lowering the threshold for future clashes. “Next time, it may not be limited to the disputed territory—it could affect all of Pakistan and India,” he cautioned.
Communication Gap Widens
Mirza highlighted the absence of formal communication channels beyond tactical hotlines and military operations contacts. He warned this lack of crisis-management tools could hinder future mediation, reducing the international community’s response time.
No Talks or Backchannels
There are currently no backchannel discussions or meetings planned with Indian counterparts. “These issues must be resolved through dialogue, not the battlefield,” Mirza asserted.
India Maintains Aggressive Stance
Meanwhile, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh threatened future use of naval power. Speaking aboard the INS Vikrant, Singh declared India would use “the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy” if provoked again. He added that Operation Sindoor had only been paused, not concluded.
As troop numbers return to normal, regional peace remains fragile, and the path forward uncertain.
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