ISLAMABAD – India’s civil and military leadership is facing growing turmoil, following the dramatic removal of Deputy Air Marshal SP Dharkar, amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. This shake-up is seen as part of a broader pattern of instability, following the earlier dismissal of Gen Kumar, the commander of Northern Command, who reportedly failed to carry out a successful false flag operation in occupied territory.
Dharkar’s removal has raised eyebrows, particularly as he was overseeing the operation of the Rafale jets, which became embroiled in a tense confrontation with the Pakistani Air Force (PAF). During this incident, Indian jets were swiftly intercepted by Pakistani forces, prompting serious questions regarding Dharkar’s leadership and the Rafale jets’ readiness for such engagements. His dissatisfaction with the performance of his pilots, especially concerning the handling of the advanced Rafale jets, further cast doubt on his professional capabilities.
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Indian Air Force (IAF) officials have also raised concerns about the Rafales’ ability to counter Pakistani radar systems. There were reports that these jets appeared “helpless” when confronted with sophisticated Pakistani jamming technology, a worrying assessment for India’s defense readiness.
The sudden reshuffling of high-ranking military officers has sparked panic within India’s defense circles, with speculations that this could signal further top-level changes. The rapid turnover of senior officials is stoking fears of instability within the Indian defense forces, especially at a time when strategic decisions are becoming increasingly critical.
The timing of these removals has added fuel to the fire, with some observers speculating that it could be indicative of a rift between the Hindutva-inspired BJP government and India’s military leadership. The swift and unexplained reshuffling of key personnel is raising concerns that the ongoing political agenda could be putting India’s national security posture at risk, further complicating an already volatile situation.
