Islamabad: Pak Air Force (PAF) has set up forward bases in the slopes of Siachen to counter Indian Air Force (IAF) operations from bases in Leh, Jammu and Thoise.

Quoting PAF sources Pakistan daily 'Nawai Waqt' reported on July 4 that for a long time, India has been using forward airbases in Leh, Jammu and Thoise to provide air cover to its ground forces along the border in Northern areas and Kashmir.

India, it said, had moved warplanes and bomber aircraft to these bases after December 2001 and now Pakistan has activated its bases in Northern areas by moving its warplanes in the bases situated in the slopes of Siachen mountain.

According to PAF sources, earlier Indian warplanes used to take off from other bases to provide air cover to the ground forces in Northern areas but later they shifted base in Northern areas.

PAF Chief Air Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir visited forward air bases in Northern areas on July 3, it said.

PTI