Regional tensions have spiked following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people, prompting Pakistan to intensify military deployments and rally support from key allies, including Turkey, China, and Russia.
In the days after the April 22 attack, unverified reports on social media and Indian news platforms claimed that six Turkish C-130E transport aircraft landed in Pakistan carrying military equipment. Turkish authorities denied the allegation, clarifying that only a refuelling stop occurred. “Speculative news… should not be relied upon,” stated Turkey’s Directorate of Communications, as reported by Daily Sabah.
Despite Ankara’s denials, speculation was fuelled by flight-tracking data showing a Turkish aircraft over the Arabian Sea on April 28. The incident coincided with Pakistan’s reported activation of air bases in Skardu, Swat, and Pensi, along with the movement of military hardware into Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan’s military buildup includes the deployment of F-16s, JF-17s, and Chinese-origin J-10 fighters to conduct combat air patrols (CAPs). Skardu Air Base has also undergone operational upgrades in anticipation of further escalation.
Deepening Defence Ties
While Turkey maintains that no arms delivery occurred last week, its military ties with Pakistan are long-standing. According to SIPRI (March 2025), Pakistan accounted for 10% of Turkey’s total arms exports from 2020 to 2024. Key collaborations include the sale of Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci drones, joint development of the KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighter, and potential co-production of air-to-air missiles like the FAZ-2 and Gökdoğan.
Naval cooperation has also expanded. Pakistan received four MILGEM-class corvettes from Turkey, the last being PNS Tariq in August 2023. Turkish firms have upgraded Pakistan’s Agosta 90B submarines, while a co-designed fleet tanker, PNS Moawin, was built in Karachi. Discussions on co-developing advanced submarines—including nuclear-powered variants—are ongoing.
On the diplomatic front, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed support for Pakistan on Kashmir during a February 2025 meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. After the Pahalgam attack, Sharif thanked Erdoğan for Turkey’s “unwavering” backing.
China’s Strategic Backing
China, another of Islamabad’s closest partners, is also reported to have recently supplied drones and PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles to Pakistan. Reports suggest that Beijing has also supplied drones to Pakistan in recent weeks, enhancing Islamabad’s surveillance and defensive capabilities.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in a call with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar, emphasized restraint and supported Pakistan’s proposal for an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
Wang described terrorism as a “shared responsibility” and backed a diplomatic resolution, reflecting Beijing’s continued strategic alignment with Islamabad.
Russia Urged to Mediate
Amid growing tensions, Pakistan has reached out to Russia to help defuse the crisis. On April 28, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko met Pakistan’s Ambassador Muhammad Khalid Jamali in Moscow to discuss regional stability and bilateral cooperation. Russia called on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and engage in constructive dialogue.
Separately, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Russia’s RIA Novosti that Islamabad is pushing for an international investigative body—led by China and Russia—to probe the Pahalgam incident.
Shifting Regional Dynamics
The rapid diplomatic and military responses underscore Pakistan’s efforts to consolidate alliances amid mounting pressure from India. Experts suggest that emerging trilateral cooperation between Pakistan, Turkey, and China may signal a shift in South Asia’s strategic balance, challenging India’s regional influence.
With diplomatic narratives intensifying alongside military readiness, the region braces for potential aftershocks from the Pahalgam attack—both on the ground and on the global stage.
Ravi Shankar
Dr Ravi Shankar has over two decades of experience in communications, print journalism, electronic media, documentary film making and new media.
He makes regular appearances on national television news channels as a commentator and analyst on current and political affairs. Apart from being an acknowledged Journalist, he has been a passionate newsroom manager bringing a wide range of journalistic experience from past associations with India’s leading media conglomerates (Times of India group and India Today group) and had led global news-gathering operations at world’s biggest multimedia news agency- ANI-Reuters. He has covered Parliament extensively over the past several years. Widely traveled, he has covered several summits as part of media delegation accompanying the Indian President, Vice President, Prime Minister, External Affairs Minister and Finance Minister across Asia, Africa and Europe.
