In the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Pakistani Army has seen a shocking desertion of its personnel, with 4500 troops and 250 officers leaving their posts in a span of two days. The record number of resignations symbolizes increasing fear among the rank and file, as India-Pakistan tensions rise, especially after the terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

News accounts have shown that resignations are heavily driven by fears of Indian retaliatory action in the military form, feared by many members of the Pakistani Army to result in a wholesale counterattack. Families worried sick for their members’ safety have been prompting soldiers and officers to quit in significant numbers. Although some of the soldiers have already quit active duty, others are said to be in the process of resigning, indicating a worsening crisis in the ranks of Pakistan’s military.

Senior Pak Officers Raise Alarm Over Mass Resignations

The development has sparked serious concerns within the upper echelons of the Pakistani military. Commander of the 11th Corps, Lieutenant General Umar Bukhari, is one of those raising the alarm. In reports, Bukhari has written a letter to Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir warning that the morale of the soldiers is plummeting at a fast pace. He warned that if the trend persists, Pakistan’s army could execute an ineffective resistance if war with India were to erupt.

Fear of Retaliation: A Key Reason for Resignations

The wave of resignations has also been spurred by the increased fear of a strong Indian military retaliation after the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, including a number of tourists. India has blamed Pakistan-based militant groups for the attack, and in response, the Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and has vowed to take firm action.

Internal Panic and Growing Pressure on Pakistani Army

As panic sets in among the ranks, many soldiers’ families are urging their loved ones to return home, fearing that India could launch an attack at any time. Despite the best efforts of top military officials to quell the growing unrest and prevent further resignations, the wave of departures continues unabated. The Pakistani army now faces not only external threats but also internal disintegration, with anxieties of war and uncertainty among soldiers increasing.

The situation is changing very fast, and the Pakistani Army is now experiencing a morale as well as manpower crisis, which can be very detrimental for its capacity to respond to an impending Indian attack.