India says 'will do whatever necessary' as Pakistan deploys Chinese howitzers

India on Tuesday said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests after reports emerged that Pakistan had deployed around 250 Chinese-made SH-15 self-propelled howitzers along the border facing India.

Responding to queries at the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly media briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India's position on cross-border terrorism remained unchanged and asserted that the country would remain vigilant and prepared to defend itself.

"During Operation Sindoor, we saw how a befitting reply was given (to Pakistan). From our side, our stance is that cross-border terrorism must stop, and we will do whatever is necessary in our national interest, for which we always remain vigilantly deployed," Jaiswal said.

The remarks came a day after reports indicated that Pakistan had deployed SH-15 wheeled self-propelled howitzers in formations facing India as part of its artillery modernisation programme. The weapon system, made by China's Norinco, is a 155mm/52-calibre artillery piece capable of firing multiple types of ammunition, with a range of more than 50 kilometres when using rocket-assisted projectiles.

Pakistan placed an order for 236 such guns in 2019, with deliveries beginning in 2022 and a second batch arriving in 2023. It also secured a technology transfer agreement to manufacture the system at Heavy Industries Taxila. The howitzers have reportedly been positioned mainly in Pakistan's Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jalalpur Jattan sectors opposite India, particularly around the Shakargarh Bulge. They were also used during Operation Sindoor.

The SH-15 is a truck-mounted howitzer that offers high mobility and rapid deployment capability. It can be quickly repositioned on the battlefield, making it a significant addition to Pakistan's conventional firepower. Defence analysts note that the system enhances Pakistan's ability to conduct long-range precision strikes, complementing its existing Army Rocket Force.

In the briefing, Jaiswal also strongly criticised the recent elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, describing them as a "complete farce" and accusing Pakistani forces of suppressing public dissent. He said at least 90 civilians had been killed since June during a crackdown in the region.

"This so-called local election is a complete farce. The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality," Jaiswal said. He added that the Pakistani establishment had "answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression" and was now attempting to "manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise." He urged the international community to hold Islamabad accountable.

Jaiswal also responded to a media inquiry about a viral video in which members of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba claimed that 30 to 40 of their commanders had been killed, allegedly by Indian agencies. He said India continued to call upon all countries to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and those who promote it.

"We also call upon Pakistan to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil," he said.

Retired Lieutenant General PR Shankar, former Director General of Artillery, told The Times of India that the procurement strengthens Pakistan's conventional firepower and enhances its long-range strike capabilities. He described the SH-15 as a modern system that adds significant depth to Pakistan's artillery.

The deployment comes as India continues to modernise its own artillery under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan. The Indian Army has inducted 155mm systems such as the M777 ultra-light howitzer, the K-9 Vajra self-propelled gun and the indigenous Dhanush gun, and has placed orders for additional artillery systems, including the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).