S. B. Guha

Historical background Traditionally, an improvised caravan route used by both the Chinese and European traders for transporting once famous Chinese silk to West Asia and Europe, the legendary ‘Silk Road’ between Chinese-occupied Sinkiang and Gilgit (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) has become the focus of world attention with the re-opening on August 24, 1969, of Pakistan-China border trade on this route after 20 years (since 1949). The subject has assumed further importance recently as it came to light that the Chinese were building a new road connecting the Tibet-Sinkiang road with the Gilgit-Sinkiang road through Khunjerab Pass (16,000 ft).

• S. B. Guha |
• July-August 2025 |
• Strategic Analysis

Born of the partition assets of the pre-partition Indian Air Force, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) came of age towards the end of the fifties when, through free-supply of modern jet aircraft by the United States under the Mutual Security Agreement which Pakistan signed with the United States in May 1954, the PAF was transformed into an all-jet air-fleet. Since then, in instalments, Pakistan had received from the United States directly, or through their common military allies, fighters, fighter-bombers and bombers sufficient to form and equip about 10 combat squadrons, comprising 200 modern aircraft.

• S. B. Guha |
• May-June 2025 |
• Strategic Analysis