Pahalgam terror attack has obvious Pakistani links, needs an all-out Indian response – Firstpost

The gruesome massacre of tourists at Pahalgam has been condemned by all major world leaders, including US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Most world leaders have criticised the attack.

That this attack took place at a time when US Vice President JD Vance was in India indicates the audacity of the attackers and their backers. Prime Minister Narendra 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 was already in Pahalgam, taking stock of the 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 nationwide 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 the Pakistan Army Chief’s venomous position on Hindus are indicative of a major game play.

Pakistan Army Chief’s Remarks

Addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad earlier this month, 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. 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 visible from the modus operandi of the attack. Footprints and tell-tale signs of the 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 has been very significant. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been working closely with the Central government for the betterment of the masses.

Kashmir’s integration with India was not palatable to Pakistan’s ruling establishment (Pakistan Army). Pakistan is an ideological state, and the Pakistan Army has taken up the mantle of the guardian of the ideology. Despite having an army of 1.3 million, the Pakistan Army claims that India cannot intimidate it. He forgets about the meek surrender of 93,000 able-bodied but defeated Pakistani Army soldiers in 1971.

Political and Diplomatic Options for India

The 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. The government has rightly suspended the Indus Water Treaty. Now, India must more openly support insurgency in Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and PoK.

India must work closely with Afghanistan and Pashtuns. Pakistan’s economy is in a mess. The politicians, generals and judges are all siphoning money and stacking it abroad. Pakistan has the highest number of beggars in the world. Saudi Arabia has just deported 4,000 of them.

Military options

The armed forces have already launched operation “Tikka”. A few terrorists have already been eliminated. Selectively mobilise the armed forces. Send a clear signal. Time for a multi-domain strike. Activate operatives to strike military establishments within Pakistan. Immediately abandon the ceasefire on LoC. Let guns blasé. Make Pakistan run out of ammunition. Carry out much wider military air strikes against a host of terrorist camps. Use BrahMos and other cruise missiles. Get the 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. The US, Israel and Europe will back India for a controlled aggression.

The bigger aim is to show the Pakistan army in a poor light. Call the nuclear bluff. Punishment has not to be a one-time activity, it has to be a continuous endeavour 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 the Indian Air Force war-ready. Stop downsizing the Indian Army. Get more nuclear submarines. Increase nuclear warheads.

Get own house in order

Many Indian politicians in UP and West Bengal are openly supporting anti-India elements to stay in power. It is time to take appropriate actions to curb this trend. Stop all illegal migration into the country, especially from Bangladesh. Many countries in 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. This has to stop. If these terrorists were within the region for nearly a month, as reports indicate, then we need to look in the mirror. The Indian public has to be sensitised against terrorists.

The time to act is now. Soft reaction will further invite similar terror acts in the future.

The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.