Islamabad: In the aftermath of the deadly explosion outside Delhi’s Red Fort that claimed at least eight lives, Pakistan has reportedly elevated its military readiness to the highest level, issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and placing its air and naval forces on full alert, according to media reports.
The unprecedented move comes amid heightened regional tension following Monday evening’s car blast near the Red Fort Metro station an incident Indian authority have described as a suspected fidayeen-style terror attack. Intelligence sources believe the attack was orchestrated by a radicalized module operating out of Faridabad with possible links to Kashmir-based groups.
According to CNN-News18, Pakistan’s defense establishment issued a Red Alert across all airbases and airfields late Monday night, instructing air defense units to remain on standby. The NOTAM, valid from November 11 to 12, indicates restricted airspace usage and intensified surveillance across sensitive zones bordering India.
Reports further suggest that Pakistan’s Air Force has activated its radar grids and surface-to-air defense batteries along the Line of Control (LoC) and international boundary. Fighter squadrons at frontline bases have been ordered to maintain immediate readiness for combat takeoff.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Navy has also been directed to heighten maritime patrols along the country’s southern coastline amid intelligence warnings of possible cross-border escalation.
A senior Pakistani defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted as saying, “All branches of the military have been instructed to stay alert to any eventuality. Coordination cells between air and ground commands are operating at enhanced capacity.”
Sources in Islamabad suggest that the alert was triggered by apprehensions of potential Indian military retaliation in the wake of the Red Fort bombing particularly after Indian agencies linked the blast to Pakistan-based handlers. Indian authorities have reportedly shared preliminary intelligence with global partners pointing toward a transnational terror connection.
Pakistan’s Central Command has also directed regional formations to implement “full-spectrum defensive preparedness,” ensuring that key air assets and installations are secured from any possible strike.
The explosion occurred around 7:30 PM outside the Red Fort Metro station, shaking the historic district and killing eight people on the spot while injuring more than 20 others. Preliminary investigations by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) indicate that the attack may have been carried out using a vehicle rigged with high-grade explosives.
Investigators have identified Dr. Mohammad Umar, a Faridabad-based assistant professor of medicine originally from Pulwama, as the alleged mastermind. Umar, reportedly radicalized through encrypted social media platforms such as Telegram, is believed to have coordinated with two operatives detained in Kashmir Tariq Ahmed Dar of Samboora, Pulwama, and another suspect identified as Umar alias Amir.
Authorities have traced the vehicle’s registration to a Pulwama resident, adding weight to suspicions of a wider Kashmir-linked terror network. Intelligence sources believe the group may have received logistical support from handlers operating across the border.
The developments have led to rising diplomatic unease between New Delhi and Islamabad. Indian security agencies are expected to brief senior officials on the potential Pakistan connection, while the Ministry of External Affairs may issue a formal statement condemning cross-border terrorism.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign office has reportedly been placed on standby for “rapid response coordination” should the situation escalate further.
Defense analysts warn that both sides appear to be entering a period of heightened alert and mutual suspicion, with even minor border incidents having the potential to spiral into a larger confrontation.
As of late Monday night, air traffic over parts of Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces was restricted under the newly issued NOTAM, and military reconnaissance flights were observed along the western frontier.
The situation remains fluid, with regional observers calling for restraint and de-escalation as both nuclear-armed neighbors monitor each other’s moves closely in the tense hours following the Delhi blast.