NEW DELHI, April 27: India is mobilizing 20,000 troops for May war-games on its northern borders in the largest movement of forces since 2002 when war almost broke out with Pakistan, defence sources said on Wednesday. The exercise would be held in the arid plains of Jalandhar in the Punjab state, which borders Pakistan, defence ministry sources said.

Artillery and heavy armour would also be involved in the manoeuvres to hone the battle-readiness of India’s million-plus armed forces, they said.

However, the sources would not reveal the exact date of the exercises, although they said mobilization had already begun.

“The exercise is of division strength and may also have components from the Indian air force,” a senior ministry source told AFP, adding that advance notice had already been given to Pakistan.

The ministry sources said the exercises would ‘occupy the better part of May’ and added that various combat units from infantry and other military corps would be drawn in.

“It is an exercise to try out some of the new issues that have been incorporated in India’s latest war doctrine,” said a commander of a strike force.

The doctrine prepared this year incorporates nuclear, chemical and biological warfare and counter-measures.

“Everything will be tried out. This will be perhaps the most comprehensive, sophisticated military event planned by us,” one ministry official said.

India’s air force will hold joint exercises with the US air force in November.—AFP