India has done what it must. Now, only Pakistan’s actions will decide what comes next.
India has responded firmly, forcefully, and decisively to the horrific terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent Indian tourists — all men, all breadwinners — leaving behind a trail of widows and shattered families. The perpetrators, Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, once again exposed the festering rot at the heart of Pakistan’s security establishment. But this time, India didn’t stop at condemnation. It struck back — and how.In nine precision air and drone strikes carried out deep within Pakistan-occupied territory, India targeted and decimated terror camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. By most credible accounts, these strikes eliminated around 100 terrorists, including senior operatives and even family members of top commanders. The operation was appropriately named ‘Sindhoor’ — a term synonymous with sacrifice and resolve across India. For the first time in years, India struck not just on the battlefield but also at the nerve centres of Pakistan’s terror industry. On the diplomatic front, the Modi government simultaneously launched an equally potent offensive. The decision to scrap the Indus Waters Treaty — a long-overdue move — and sever all trade ties with Pakistan has delivered a strategic and economic jolt to a country that thrives on global hypocrisy while shielding global terrorists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in this hour has been resolute. He has earned the respect of a global community that is otherwise divided on most issues. Except for China, Pakistan’s only true “friend,” the world has watched in reluctant admiration as India asserted its right to self-defense without breaching international norms. Modi, flanked by NSA Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, CDS General Anil Chauhan, and the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, besides the Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh and Home Minister, Amit Shah, has overseen a rare blend of military precision and diplomatic finesse.
At home, the country has, quite understandably, erupted in emotional calls for “finishing the job.” There are sections of the public — including some of Modi’s usual critics — who believe this is the moment for India to press harder, to escalate further. But that would be premature. And unwise. India has done what needed to be done. Its sovereignty has been asserted. Terrorists and their handlers have paid a price. The nation’s message is unambiguous: any future aggression will not go unanswered. However, now is the time for restraint, not emotional adventurism. Further escalation must be conditional, not driven by public sentiment, but by Pakistan’s response. If Pakistan retaliates or signals that it still prioritizes terrorists over regional stability, then India must, and will, hit back harder. But until then, India has the upper hand — morally, militarily, and diplomatically. Even the Opposition, which initially tried to muddy the waters with provocative statements and cynical spin, has been forced into silence or reluctant applause for the armed forces. But let’s not kid ourselves. They still refuse to give due credit to the man who made it all possible. Just as Indira Gandhi in 1971 could act only after General Sam Manekshaw demanded a free hand, today’s military success is also rooted in the political will of one man — Narendra Modi. The difference is stark. Unlike Indira Gandhi, who needed coaxing and was unsure of India’s capabilities, Modi has never doubted this nation’s strength. He has rebuilt India’s military spine and economic muscle over the past decade. Today, our forces are capable of fighting on multiple fronts, if required. And they do so with the backing of a Prime Minister who is fully in command. So, let’s not allow national grief to morph into jingoistic frenzy. The blood of our countrymen has been avenged — not in rhetoric, but in action. Now, the choice of escalation lies with Pakistan. If it refuses to learn and responds with more bloodshed, India is prepared. But until then, we must trust the leadership we have elected, the generals we have trained, and the diplomacy we have mastered. This is not the time for chest-thumping. This is the time to wait — and strike again, only if provoked.
