India

Vivekananda International Foundation | English | AcademicThink | May 2, 2025 | Terrorism

On 22 April 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, perpetrated by two Pakistani nationals and one Indian national, has tested India's patience and sovereignty, reminding the nation of ongoing issues with cross-border terrorism. In response, India has quickly downgraded diplomatic relations and closed borders, but the public expects a more significant reaction beyond traditional measures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised a robust response, indicating a shift towards remote warfare using drones and cyber capabilities.

This new military doctrine, developed from lessons learned during past conflicts such as the Kargil War and confrontations with China, focuses on technological superiority rather than close combat. India aims to employ drones, precision-guided missiles, and other unmanned systems to execute strikes with high precision, enabling a form of deterrence that emphasizes inflicting costs on Pakistan without direct confrontation. The strategy includes targeting critical military assets in Pakistan while avoiding large formations near the Line of Control.

India's remote warfare capability encompasses ground, air, sea, and cyber realms. It plans to utilize medium-altitude long-endurance drones to attack missile sites and airfields, while also deploying naval forces to blockade Pakistan's ports. Despite Pakistan's own drone advancements, India’s robust domestic manufacturing capabilities provide it with an advantage in scale and operational flexibility. This strategy allows India to impose costs without engaging in prolonged ground conflicts, thereby maintaining international support and neutralizing Pakistan's tactical advantages afforded by local terrain.

The Pahalgam incident has prompted a significant transformation in India’s national security approach, moving away from conventional tit-for-tat responses toward a more asymmetrical and decisive military posture. India now prepares to test this remote warfare strategy against Pakistan, aiming to leverage technological advancements and operational unpredictability to reshape regional security dynamics.

The News | English | News | May 2, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Pakistan firmly rejected India's claims linking it to the recent Pahalgam attack, labeling the allegations as propaganda aimed at deflecting from India's own issues in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). During a press briefing, Pakistani officials expressed concerns that such unfounded accusations threaten regional peace. They condemned the attack on civilians and emphasized Pakistan's experience as a victim of terrorism, having suffered significant loss of life and economic damage in its own fight against terrorism.

Foreign Minister Dar criticized India's attempts to associate Pakistan with the incident and suggested that such actions are part of a broader pattern to distract from India's ongoing oppression of Kashmiris. He warned that while Pakistan does not wish to escalate tensions, any aggressive actions by India would provoke a decisive response. He also highlighted his concerns over India's inflammatory rhetoric and questioned the timing of these allegations, suggesting they serve to obscure India's internal problems, including the Kashmir dispute.

Dar called for an independent international investigation into the Pahalgam incident, advocating for scrutiny of India's allegations. Additionally, he raised concerns about growing Islamophobic narratives perpetuated by India, indicating that these could destabilize the region further. He criticized India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as illegal and emphasized that international accountability for India's actions is essential to maintain stability in South Asia.

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have escalated since the attack, with India taking punitive actions like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and expelling Pakistani diplomats. In response, Pakistan has ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and closed border crossings. Pakistan's military has reported intelligence suggesting that India may be planning military action against Pakistan. The Pakistan Army has also thwarted recent Indian drone activities near the Line of Control, asserting its commitment to respond to any threats.

Business Recorder | English | News | May 2, 2025 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Ex-prime minister Imran Khan, currently imprisoned, issued a strong warning to India, asserting that Pakistan is fully capable of responding to any aggression, similar to its actions in 2019. In a message shared on X, he recalled the 2019 Pulwama incident and the resulting military tensions, emphasizing that his government was determined and backed by the nation during that time. The warning comes amidst rising tensions following a recent incident in Pahalgam, which India has suggested involved Pakistan.

Khan criticized India for blaming Pakistan without credible evidence, arguing that the Modi government is repeating past mistakes. He urged India, as a major nation, to act responsibly and called for restraint to avoid escalating the situation, which he labeled a nuclear flashpoint. He reiterated his demand for self-determination for Kashmiris and condemned India's revocation of Article 370 in 2019, asserting that Indian oppression has intensified the desire for freedom among the people of Kashmir.

In his message, Khan also took the opportunity to denounce the current Shehbaz Sharif administration, calling it illegitimate and claiming it was formed through rigged elections. He pointed out that despite political divisions in Pakistan, Modi's aggressive stance has paradoxically united the public against a common threat. Khan alleged that political opponents, including Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, remain silent on India's actions due to their overseas financial interests, which he believes compromises their willingness to challenge Indian aggression. He concluded by warning that internal division in Pakistan could weaken its position against external threats, emphasizing the importance of national unity in the face of potential conflict.