New Delhi: In a dramatic escalation of the long-simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, the Cambodian military has reportedly deployed BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, a powerful Soviet-era artillery system rarely used outside full-scale warfare.

The BM-21 system, capable of firing 40 rockets in under 20 seconds, was allegedly used by Cambodia during cross-border clashes that began on July 24, says media reports. In response, Thai forces launched what military officials described as “appropriate supporting fire.”

At least 15 people have died and several dozen have been injured in the ongoing exchange, making it one of the deadliest flare-ups in recent years. The intensity of the fighting, fueled by heavy artillery like the BM-21, suggests the conflict may be shifting from territorial skirmishes to outright conventional warfare.

The disputed temple at heart of the fight

At the centre of the dispute is a Hindu temple, situated just inside Cambodia’s border. While Cambodia holds sovereignty over the temple, a claim backed by a 2008 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling, Thailand has long contested ownership of the surrounding area.

Tensions have spiked in recent weeks due to increased Thai military activity near the temple complex, reigniting the territorial feud and drawing global attention.

Why BM-21 deployment is a turning point

The BM-21 Grad, developed by the Soviet Union in the 1960s, is a truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher system designed for large-scale destruction. Its 122mm rockets can target tanks, artillery sites, and military infrastructure, making it a formidable battlefield asset.

There are growing fears that the conflict could draw in neighboring countries or disrupt fragile diplomatic balances in the region.