The gruesome massacre of innocent holiday makers at Pahalgam killing at least 28 people, and injuring several others has been condemned by all major world leaders including US President Trump and Russian President Putin. Most world leaders have condemned the attack. Israel has shown solidarity. That it happened at a time when US Vice President JD Vance was in India, indicates the audacity of the attackers and their backers. PM Modi who was on a visit to a leading Muslim country Saudi Arabia had to cut short and rush back. He was met at the airport by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Home Minister Amit Shah is already in Pahalgam taking stock of ground situation. Terrorists have already been identified and their Pakistan links established. India’s security establishment is in a huddle. The service chiefs are part of discussions looking at all options. This will not be allowed to go by. There is nation-wide anger. There will be repercussions. A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials has arrived in Srinagar to investigate. India has to come hard. Recent events in Bangladesh, infiltration and riots in West Bengal, and Pakistan Army Chief’s venomous position on Hindus are indicative of a major game play.
Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s Remarks
Addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, General Munir didn’t just speak about Balochistan. “We will beat the hell out of these terrorists very soon. You think these 1,500 terrorists can take away Balochistan from us?” he said. “Even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan and Pakistan.” Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, had famously said that Hindus and Muslims followed different philosophies, customs, and laws – making national unity impossible. Munir returned to the very roots of Pakistan’s ideological foundation. “Our religion is different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different — that’s where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, we are not one nation,” he said. He called on overseas Pakistanis to pass down this ideology to future generations. “You have to narrate Pakistan’s story to your children so that they don’t forget it,” he added. Is he a reincarnation combine of Military Generals Yahya Khan and Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq who ruled Pakistan by spreading religious hate? Is he preparing to return financially impoverished country to the pre-1971 East Pakistan crisis. Is it time to revisit fall of Dhaka. In his speech he was also tacitly giving a signal to moderate elements within the military establishment and Imran Khan’s supporters to take a hard-line stand.
Pakistan Army’s Direct Role in Pahalgam
Hindu hatred is clearly visible from the modus operandi of the attack. Footprints and tell-tale signs of Pakistani Army’s backing are emerging. Pakistan cannot stand peace and prosperity emerging in Kashmir. Tourist numbers have been going up. Public participation in elections have been very significant. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been working closely with Central government for betterment of the masses. Kashmir’s integration with India was not palatable to Pakistan ruling establishment (Pak Army). Pakistan is an ideological state, and Pakistan Army has taken up the mantle of the guardian of the ideology. Despite having an army of 1.3 million, Pakistan army claims that India cannot intimidate it. He obviously forgets about the meek surrender of 93,000 able bodied but defeated Pakistani Army soldiers in 1971.
“China condemns Pahalgam terror attack. Says, oppose terrorism in all its forms. Hope China will then find courage to ask tough questions to their “iron brother” Pakistan on why it continues to sponsor terrorism on directions of Asim Munir. Let this be clear. Mastermind of Pahalgam terror attack is not Hafiz Saeed or Lashkar e Tayyiba. Mastermind of Pahalgam Massacre is Asim Munir of Pakistan Army sitting in Rawalpindi. Pakistan Army and ISI need to pay for the bloody carnage in Kashmir. Modi Govt should act boldly”, tweeted Aditya Raj Kaul.
Political and Diplomatic Options India
Time has come for the oft spoken mantra “Never Forget Never Forgive” to be put into action. India has for long taken the soft line. It cannot be seen as a weak state. Perhaps that is the reason some have taken India for granted. We have lessons to be learnt from Israel. There are diplomatic, political and military options. All need to be exercised in tandem. The world is with us. India must use its financial and diplomatic might to teach Pakistan a lesson. Immediately terminate Indus Water Treaty. India must more openly support insurgency in Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and PoK. India must work closely with Afghanistan and Pashtuns. Pakistan economy is in a mess. The Politicians, Generals and Judiciary are all siphoning money and stacking abroad. Run a campaign for Pakistan public to know about it. Pakistan has the highest number of beggars in the world. Saudi Arabia has just deported 4,000 of them.
Military Options
Armed Forces have already launched operation “Tikka“. A few terrorists have already been eliminated. Selectively mobilise Armed Forces. Send a clear signal. Time for multi domain strike. Activate operatives to strike military establishments within Pakistan. Immediately abandon ceasefire on LoC. Let guns blaze. Make Pakistan run out of ammunition. Carry out much wider military air strikes against host of terrorist camps. Use BrahMos and other cruise missiles. Get Indian Navy to position itself in threatening slots. Sail a few submarines and the aircraft carrier into Arabian Sea. India is much better prepared than Kargil or Balakot. India has Scalp-EG, and Meteor. Coordinate with Baloch liberation and Pashtuns to open multiple fronts. Be ready to manage escalation. Expect and prepare for a Pakistani military retort, and be ready for a disproportionate response and give a bloody nose.
India must work towards selective America and Israel style assassinations of terrorist leaders in Pakistan plotting against India. Pakistan has few backers. Iran and Saudis are not their friends anymore. China will at best act as a mediator. USA, Israel and Europe will back India for a controlled aggression. The bigger aim is to show the Pakistan army in poor light. Call the nuclear bluff. Punishment has not to be a onetime activity, it has to be a continuous program from now on. Make it painful for them to support terrorism. Stop “Aman ki Asha”. Meanwhile greater attention is required towards building military capability. Get Indian Air Force fighter squadron numbers. Stop downsizing Indian Army. Get more nuclear submarines. Increase nuclear warheads.
Get Own House in Order
There are many Indian politicians in UP and West Bengal who are openly supporting anti-India elements to stay in power. It is time to take appropriate actions to curb this trend. Nation must expose them more ruthlessly. Stop all illegal migration into the country, especially from Bangladesh. Many countries of Europe are already suffering because of this. There is a tendency for security forces and intelligence agencies to be less vigilant when there is an extended period of peace. It happened in Kargil. Kashmir is different. Vigil will be required for decades ahead. If these terrorists were within the region for nearly a month as reports indicate, then we need to look into the mirror. Indian Judiciary is often seen as soft against terrorists. This needs serious review. Indian public has to be sensitised much more against terrorists. Time to allow Indians to buy property in Kashmir. Time to Act is now. Soft reaction will invite further similar dastardly acts.
Note: The article was originally written by the Author for First Post on April 25th, 2025, it has since been updated.
Header Picture Credit: CNN
Twitter: @AirPowerAsia
Air Power Asia 