India is busy preparing to take strict action in response to Pahalgam terror attack. In response to the terrorist attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the entire “operational freedom” to the Indian Army for the way of retaliation, target and time of retaliation. Along with the attack from India, Pakistan’s sleep is also blowing up India’s aerbase in its neighboring country Tajikistan, which will become an advantage for India under any tough answer. What is the airbase of India in Tajikistan? How can India increase difficulties for Pakistan from there.
People are usually less aware of this aerbase of India built in Tajikistan in Central Asia. But it gives India an extra option to gather intelligence in Pakistan, start the reconnaissance and fighter mission.
Its name is Ayni Airbase. For India, this airbase is not just an airport built on a foreign land, but it is an important tool to create strategic balance in South Asia, speed up anti-terrorism campaigns and balance Pakistan-China alliances.
Where is this airbase
Ayoni airbase is located about 15 kilometers west of Tajikistan’s capital Dusamba. It was an important military airport during the Soviet Union era. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, it came under Tajikistan’s control. It suffered a lot in the Tajik Civil War of 1992-1997. It remained inactive for many years.
When did India make it
India’s interest in this increased after 2002, when the US started ‘War on Terror’ in Afghanistan. India offered the Tajikistan government to rebuild this airbase. India invested around US $ 7 million in it. This airbase was modernized from 2003 to 2010.
India has made this airbase worth heavy and multi-fighter jets like Ilyushin-76 and Sukhoi-30 MKI. The runway was extended to 3200 meters. It has been modernized with a taxi track, hanger, fuel depot and air traffic control system.
India’s Ayoni Airbase in Tajikistan has now become a big headache for Pakistan, because in a way this airbase has not tied Pakistan’s hands and feet, but also keeps reminding of it that India can sleep with Central Asia. (News18 AI)
However, Tajikistan officially does not recognize it as a military base of a foreign country. According to reports, technicians, engineers and security officers of the Indian Air Force are posted here. Along with this, India has also used Farkhor Airbase, which is located near the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. These two places are such that Pakistan’s sleep can blow very well.
This was used to bring Indian citizens from Afghanistan
According to some reports, India has also temporarily deployed its SU-30mki fighter aircraft on this base. This airbase was used by India when it was to bring back its citizens from there after the Taliban occupation.
Pakistan is under pressure because of this
At least, the presence of Indian airbase in Tajikistan can force Pakistan to re -decide its strategy and to rebuild some of its air defense systems and surface -to -air missiles from the eastern front to the northern and western fronts. This will reduce Pakistan’s already weak military resources further.
In Tajikistan, the Indian airbase itself has given India a strategic place in Central Asia, from where it can continuously monitor Pakistan and China. (News18 AI)
However, Indian aircraft will have to cross Afghanistan to reach the Pakistani airspace. Since there is no state -of -the -art air defense system in Afghanistan, Indian aircraft can easily do this work.
India can also start a warfare campaign from Aii airbase. However, it can be complicated and can cause diplomatic problems for India and Tajikistan. But it can be strongly said that the presence of the Indian military base in Tajikistan will spoil the strategic calculation of Pakistan.
Now we will know how this airbase of Kazakhstan has made Pakistan sleep.
1. Strategic pressure for Pakistan
Ayoni airbase is very close to Pakistan’s western border. If India operates its fighter jets or drone campaigns from here, then Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province will be directly in its radar.
Experts believe that if Pakistan committed any duties on the western front, it can be immediately responded to from this important military base of Central Asia. (News18 AI)
Experts believe that if Pakistan takes any military action against India on the Eastern Front (Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan), then India can also pressurize the West. With this, Pakistan will have to face the situation of fighting on two fronts.
2. Balancing China
Tajikistan also borders Shinjiang province of China. India can also monitor China’s activities from here. After the Galwan Conflict (2020), the importance of Ayoni airbase has increased further under India-China tension.
3. Activities in Afghanistan watch
After the Taliban came to power again, activities of Islamic State (IS-K) and other terrorist organizations have increased in Afghanistan. India can monitor the northern areas of Afghanistan from Tajikistan.
4. India’s influence in Central Asia
This airbase makes India a powerful player in the politics of Central Asia. Russia has a huge influence in Tajikistan. China is also strengthening its hold there through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Ayoni airbase helps India maintain geopolitical balance.
Why this airbase is a big threat to Pakistan
1. Strategic siege
India is already keeping military pressure on Pakistan from Kashmir. Now if Indian fighter jets or drones are operated from Ayoni airbase of Tajikistan, then Pakistan’s strategic depth may be disturbed.
India’s base and drone operations can become a headache for Pakistan amidst the ongoing separatist movement in Balochistan and the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
2. concern of atomic installations
Many nuclear establishments of Pakistan are located in its western part. India’s presence can be helpful in monitoring them and giving quick answers to the possible threat.
3. Impact on China-Pak alliance
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes through Gwadar. Passes through Balochistan. The strategic presence of Ayoni airbase can also become a challenge for the safety of CPEC.
Although India has not declared it as an operational base in public so far, its role and strategic importance is likely to increase in the coming years.