����ֱ��

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) contingent has arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in a bilateral aerial combat exercise named “Indus Shield Alpha,” the military’s media wing said on Sunday, with the exercise set to focus on modern aerial warfare tactics. 

The Pakistan contingent comprises JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets accompanied by skilled air and ground crew, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, said in a statement. 

The PAF fighters arrived via a non-stop flight from their home base in Pakistan to Azerbaijan, the ISPR said, executing a “flawless in-flight air-to-air refueling operation.” The air-refueling was carried out with the PAF’s IL-79 aerial tanker, the military said, reaffirming the fighter jets’ long-range capability. 

“Exercise Indus Shield Alpha aims to enhance mutual understanding, tactical coordination and interoperability between the two brotherly Air Forces,” the ISPR said. 

“The exercise will focus on modern aerial warfare tactics, joint mission planning and execution in an environment shaped by rapid technological advancements and evolving airpower dynamics.”

The military’s media wing said Indus Shield Alpha will also serve as a “vital platform” to exchange operational insights and strengthen collaborative responses to emerging aerial defense challenges.

The PAF’s participation in the exercise reaffirms Pakistan’s enduring commitment to regional stability and global military cooperation, the ISPR said.

“It also demonstrates PAF’s unwavering resolve to continuously evolve and adapt to the demands of contemporary warfare, while maintaining its tradition of excellence in every domain of air operations,” the statement concluded. 

Pakistan has historically enjoyed close defense and diplomatic ties with Azerbaijan. The two countries have grown closer and vowed to improve defense ties since Baku publicly proclaimed support for Pakistan during its four-day military confrontation with India in April. The confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbors resulted in the killing of over 70 people in both countries. 

The PAF said it shot down six Indian fighter jets during the skirmishes. While Indian officials acknowledged an unspecified number of fighter jets were shot down, they rejected Pakistan’s claims that six were brought down by the PAF. 

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Wasif stood on the track as the roar of turbocharged engines echoed across Shakarparian Parade Ground, with clouds of tire smoke billowing into the evening sky at a venue better known for military drills than motorsports.

The ground is playing host to Race Wars 2025, a three-day motorsports festival being held from Oct. 17-19 by the Islamabad administration. The event drew more than 300 participants from across Pakistan to compete in circuit, drag and drift races — a rare spectacle in a country with no dedicated racetracks.

For 24-year-old Wasif, who traveled from Faisalabad to compete, the festival represented years of automotive passion culminating in serious competition. His BMW E63, equipped with a W212R engine producing around 700 wheel horsepower, reflected the level of investment enthusiasts are making in their craft.

“Back in the day, I used to have my family car, I modified it and then I became a car enthusiast and switched multiple cars and ended up on this,” he told Arab News after being eliminated in the second round of head-to-head racing.

Pakistan lacks organized competitions for motorsport lovers, though young drivers are often seen drifting on empty roads late at night, a practice that raises safety concerns.

Syed Hamza Hamid, one of the event’s organizers, said such festivals provide a legitimate outlet for this passion.

“A lot of people are passionate, but they need a place where they can show their skills and grow,” he said.

The event featured three main disciplines: head-to-head circuit racing, drag racing and drift competitions, each testing different aspects of driving skill and machine performance.

In head-to-head circuit racing, two cars race simultaneously in a tournament-style elimination format that tests handling, braking, acceleration and a driver’s ability to perform under pressure. With nine different categories, the competition produced nine winners as racers battled wheel-to-wheel, with the car ahead claiming victory and the one behind heading home.

Drag racing offers a simplified version of head-to-head competition, stripping away the complexity to focus purely on acceleration along a straight line. Two cars launch simultaneously, and the faster machine wins the race.

However, drift competition brings an entirely different challenge. Beginners drift solo, while experts perform in tandem or trio runs, sliding in synchronized movements inches apart.

Judges award points based on how precisely drivers place their tires in designated zones on the track and how closely they maneuver near walls. Unlike circuit racing, being in front doesn’t guarantee victory in drifting: control, precision and style matter more than speed.

The cars on display at the festival ranged from modified Civics and Corollas to BMW, Mercedes, Ford and specialized builds like the TRA Kyoto Pandem.

Participants said modifications vary depending on competition type: drift cars require suspension geometry adjustments and limited-slip differentials for controlled slides, drag cars depend on engine upgrades and lightweight components for faster acceleration and circuit racers need balanced setups emphasizing both power and handling.

Businessman Rehan Saleem brought his extensively modified 2006 BMW E90 to the event, equipped with a Japanese 1JZ-GTE engine typically found in a Toyota Supra, a heavy-duty gearbox and a reinforced engine block capable of handling extreme power.

“The future is bright, the new generation has a lot of interest and boys have even more,” he said as he prepared for the drag race.

The festival attracted a predominantly young crowd, mostly in their twenties and thirties, who watched from tiered stands as safety barriers kept spectators at a distance from the action.

Large screens displayed close-up views, while food stalls and music created a festive atmosphere extending from morning practice sessions through evening competitions.

For first-time motorsports spectator Iman Malik, a student, the experience exceeded expectations.

“I had no idea that this was happening here, but a friend told me and then we made a plan recently,” she said. “If there is a next show, I would like to participate.”

Behind the scenes, organizing an event of this scale required massive coordination. Hamid explained that four different teams, each comprising more than a hundred members, handled everything from race control and pit management to security and spectator services.

Participants paid Rs20,000 ($70) entry fees for head-to-head and drag racing, while drift competitors paid Rs10,000 ($35).

Despite the substantial investment and planning, organizers acknowledged motorsports events in Pakistan remain financially challenging ventures.

“One day maybe they are profitable, but now it’s too soon because sponsors don’t join,” Hamid said. “But if the drivers are happy, we are happy.”