In the aftermath of the temporary pause in Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army is reportedly planning a strategic troop “rebalance” along the Pakistan border, as both nations explore options for de-escalation. According to a report by The Indian Express, Pakistan is also preparing to return its forces to pre-April positions, following earlier mobilizations near the international border.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, had seen a surge in military preparedness and restricted movement along the borders. While the operation remains on hold, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the pause does not imply disengagement, stating that military alerts will continue at elevated levels.
Unlike Pakistan, which had massed large troop formations and military hardware close to the international border, India had limited its mobilization to repositioning certain units and equipment for strategic preparedness. These assets are now expected to return to their original locations, signaling a potential step toward de-escalation.
The report adds that both Indian and Pakistani armed forces are currently exploring confidence-building measures, with discussions underway to scale down troop presence and equipment within the next two weeks.
During the initial stages of Operation Sindoor, Indian troop numbers had increased primarily due to leave cancellations and restrictions on non-essential movement. With the situation now stabilizing, these curbs have been relaxed, and short-term training programs that were previously suspended are set to resume.
This phased normalization of military activity suggests that both countries are keen to avoid further tensions, while remaining alert to any developments that could alter the current security landscape.