India’s precision strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ on nine terror camps across Pakistan and PoK have drawn a sharp and immediate response from Islamabad. The office of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially announced that the ‘military has been formally authorised to respond to India’s strikes’, signaling a dangerous escalation in the subcontinent.
Indian forces carefully executed the retaliatory attacks triggered by the Pahalgam terror incident, deliberately avoiding Pakistani military installations. India’s intent, clearly articulated, was to dismantle terror infrastructure without igniting a broader conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level briefing to his cabinet, described the operation as a “pivotal moment of national pride.” Leaders across political lines echoed this sentiment, framing the strike as a unified stand against cross-border terrorism.
Strategic Accuracy Without Military Aggression
The Indian military action took care to specifically target Pakistani military facilities. Instead, it exclusively targeted terrorist launchpads and infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This calculated action reflected India’s desire to dismantle terror infrastructure without escalating the conflict into an all-out war.
In a high-level briefing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his cabinet, calling the operation a “moment of national pride.” His words resonated across party lines, with opposition leaders from different parties offering support and congratulating the government’s restrained response.
Pakistan’s Denial and Defensive Posturing
Across the border, Pakistan continued to deny any role in the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists. While a faction identified with Lashkar-e-Taiba had claimed responsibility for the attack, Islamabad brushed aside India’s accusations. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summoned Pakistan’s National Security Committee, which described the Indian operation as an “unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful act of war.”
The declaration highlighted that the Indian strikes had targeted civilian areas, not militant ones.
Diplomatic Fallout and Threats of Retaliation
Pakistan quickly summoned an Indian diplomat, filing a formal complaint and threatening repercussions. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar minced no words, saying, “Pakistan has the right to retaliate against Indian strikes,” and cautioned India not to underestimate its military preparedness.
He reiterated that the Pakistani military had been permitted to respond “at a time, place, and manner of its choosing.”
Escalation on the Horizon
As both countries delve into their stand, the situation is tenuous. India has exercised its prerogative to strike terrorist targets preemptively, while Pakistan describes the act as aggression against its sovereignty. The next few days will be important as the region awaits potential retaliatory measures and heightened military alertness on either side.
