The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has carried out a calibrated and forceful response against terrorist organizations operating in Pakistan. This comes in the aftermath of a horrifying Islamist terror attack that claimed the lives of 24 Indian tourists and 1 Nepali citizen in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025.
The Kashmir Massacre: A Barbaric Act of Islamic Terror
On April 22, 2025, a group of unarmed Hindu and Buddhist tourists was ambushed near Pahalgam, a popular travel destination in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The victims, including women and children, were gunned down in cold blood by Muslim terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The group had been traveling to visit ancient temples and Buddhist monasteries in the region. According to Indian intelligence, the attackers opened fire using Chinese-made automatic rifles, with the intention of creating mass casualties. Surveillance footage and intercepts later confirmed that the group had been under surveillance by Pakistani handlers.
Among the 25 deceased was one Nepali national, adding an international dimension to the atrocity. The attack is being considered one of the deadliest anti-tourist acts in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
India Responds With Operation Sindoor
After confirming Pakistani involvement and pressure from a grieving and outraged nation, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6, 2025. This surgical operation was designed to eliminate key terrorist infrastructure located both in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and deep within Pakistan itself.
According to official statements from India’s Ministry of Defence, the operation was “measured but firm,” targeting nine locations:
- Muzaffarabad
- Kotli
- Bahawalpur
- Muridke
- Rawalakot
- Balakot
- Chakothi
- Leepa
- Bagh
These locations are believed to house terror camps, training centers, and logistics hubs operated by LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). These two radical Islamic organizations have long enjoyed a safe haven in Pakistan with support from elements within the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Weapons Used and Strike Precision
India deployed a mix of indigenously developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Heron surveillance drones, and specialized Garuda commandos dropped near key targets. Satellite-guided systems ensured that only terror-linked facilities were hit, avoiding civilian populations as much as possible.
Defense analysts noted the strategic precision of the strikes, calling it a “turning point in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine.” This marks the first time India has struck targets so deep within Pakistan since the Balakot airstrike of 2019.
Pakistan’s Response: Denial and Escalation
Predictably, Pakistan responded by denying the presence of any terror infrastructure within its territory, claiming that India had “violated its sovereignty” and “killed innocent civilians.” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting with the military’s top brass, and Pakistan immediately shut down its airspace.
The Pakistani military also claimed to have downed two Indian fighter jets and captured one pilot—allegations denied by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which confirmed only the loss of an unmanned drone due to mechanical failure.
Artillery exchanges across the Line of Control (LoC) have intensified since the strikes, with reports of at least 16 Pakistani forward posts being destroyed. Indian casualties remain minimal, according to sources inside the Indian Army Northern Command.
Global Reaction: Divided but Largely Supportive of India
The world has responded cautiously but largely in support of India’s right to defend its citizens.
United States
President Donald Trump described the situation as “a shame” and hoped that the conflict would “end very quickly”.
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced “full solidarity” with India, offering intelligence-sharing assistance and counter-terror collaboration.
France and Japan
Both nations called for de-escalation but reaffirmed India’s right to sovereignty and self-defense.
China and Russia
China issued a generic call for regional peace, careful not to criticize its all-weather ally Pakistan. Russia, maintaining relations with both nations, offered to mediate but stopped short of condemning the attack on Indian civilians.
Iran
Interestingly, Iran condemned the killing of innocent civilians and offered to act as a back-channel mediator, possibly signaling a shift away from Sunni-dominated Pakistan.
Domestic Reaction: Unanimous Support for Strong Action
Across India, the public mood has been one of grief transformed into steel resolve. Prime Minister Modi received bipartisan support in Parliament, with opposition leaders rallying behind the government’s actions.
Citizens across Indian cities held candlelight vigils for the slain tourists while demanding retribution. Hashtags like #IndiaStrikesBack, #JusticeForTourists, and #EndIslamicTerror trended across social media platforms.
Families of the victims praised the government for not allowing the tragedy to go unanswered.
What Comes Next: Escalation or Deterrence?
While the possibility of full-scale war remains low due to the nuclear capabilities of both nations, military analysts warn that further terrorist acts by Pakistan-based groups could trigger broader retaliation from India.
India has reportedly moved additional regiments to border areas and placed all three branches of its military on high alert. Reserve troops have been activated, and anti-missile systems have been deployed in key urban centers including Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar.
On the diplomatic front, India is expected to launch a global campaign to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism—a move that could isolate Pakistan economically and diplomatically.
Conclusion: India Draws a Red Line
By launching Operation Sindoor, India has drawn a clear and irreversible red line. No longer willing to absorb the cost of cross-border Islamic terrorism, the Modi government has signaled a shift from strategic restraint to decisive retaliation.
The 25 innocent tourists who lost their lives in Pahalgam will not be remembered as statistics. Their deaths have become the rallying cry for a nation unwilling to bow to Islamist violence or geopolitical hypocrisy.
As India prepares for future challenges, one truth remains firm: the age of impunity for Pakistan-based terrorists is over.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
