'Will Do Whatever Is Necessary': India Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers
News india 'Will Do Whatever Is Necessary': India Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers 'Will Do Whatever Is Necessary': India Responds After Pakistan Deploys
News india 'Will Do Whatever Is Necessary': India Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers 'Will Do Whatever Is Necessary': India Responds After Pakistan Deploys Chinese SH-15 Howitzers Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 22:37 IST India said it will do "whatever is necessary" to protect its national interest after reports of Pakistan deploying Chinese SH-15 howitzers. Rapid Read Chinese-made SH-15 self-propelled howitzer deployed by Pakistan. (File Photo) India on Tuesday said it would do “whatever is necessary" to safeguard its national interests after reports emerged that Pakistan had deployed around 250 Chinese-origin SH-15 self-propelled howitzers in formations facing India. Speaking at the Ministry of External Affairs’ weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s position on cross-border terrorism remains unchanged and stressed that the country is fully prepared to defend itself. Referring to Operation Sindoor, Jaiswal said India’s response to cross-border terrorism had already demonstrated its resolve. “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," he said. Pakistan Strengthens Artillery Along Indian Front Jaiswal’s remarks came a day after reports said Pakistan had deployed nearly 250 Chinese-made SH-15 wheeled self-propelled howitzers as part of its artillery modernisation programme.
Pakistan had ordered 236 SH-15 155mm/52-calibre artillery guns from Chinese state-owned defence company Norinco in 2019. Deliveries began in 2022, with a second batch arriving in 2023. Islamabad has also secured a technology-transfer agreement to manufacture the artillery systems at Heavy Industries Taxila. Known as the PCL-181 in China, the SH-15 can fire multiple types of ammunition and has a reported strike range of more than 50 kilometres using rocket-assisted projectiles. The systems have reportedly been deployed in Pakistan’s Gujranwala, Sialkot and Jalalpur Jattan sectors opposite India, particularly around the Shakargarh Bulge. The guns were also used during Operation Sindoor. Retired Lieutenant General P.R. Shankar, former Director General of Artillery, told TOI that the acquisition significantly boosts Pakistan’s conventional firepower while complementing its Army Rocket Force and improving its long-range strike capability. India Slams PoJK Polls, Alleges Crackdown on Civilians During the briefing, Jaiswal also criticised the recently held local elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), calling them a “complete farce." “The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality," he said.
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