Quick Read: India's Response to Pakistan's Escalation
India takes on Pakistan following Pahalgam attack
Escalation of Indo-Pak Tensions at Stake: India Implying Pakistan's Actions as Decisive Factor
NEW DELHI: In response to Pakistan's act of escalation on April 22, India has retaliated against several targets in Pakistan, as per Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's statement during a briefing on Operation Sindoor on May 5.
Misri emphasized that India's reaction is limited to Pakistan's initial provocation and urged the neighboring country to avoid any further attempts to escalate the situation. If Pakistan were to proceed, Misri warned, consequences would ensue in the appropriate domain.
The briefing attended by members of the Indian army and air force also addressed disinformation purportedly spread by the Pakistani officials, with Misri stating that Pakistan's dishonesty is a long-standing practise dating back to when the country attacked Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.
Despite these tensions, countries worldwide have sided with India, condemning the Pahalgam attack and acknowledging India's right to respond in self-defense and prevent further escalation [1].
- Operation Sindoor
A holistic counterterrorism operation, initiated by India on May 7, 2025, was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack [2][4]. The operation targeted and destroyed several terror launchpads, including major hubs of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke [2]. The Indian forces are said to have neutralized approximately 150 terrorists during the operation.
Context and consequences
The escalation of tensions resulted in numerous casualties and damage on both sides, with Pakistan confirming 11 military personnel killed and 78 injured, while India reportedly targeted and destroyed key Pakistani military and air infrastructure [2]. The ceasefire announced on May 10, 2025, was short-lived, with numerous violations by Pakistan shortly afterward [1][2].
Since the operation, India has maintained a tough stance on dealing decisively with any recurrence of violations. The political narrative underscores a firm stance against terrorism while managing international and domestic expectations [1][3].
[1] - Hindustan Times[2] - Al Jazeera[3] - The Hindu[4] - NDTV
- The Indian government has launched Operation Sindoor, a decisive counterterrorism operation, in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, targeting and eliminating several terror launchpads associated with Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
- In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor, the Indian government urged Pakistan to avoid further escalation in war-and-conflicts, while expressing concerns about Pakistan's dishonesty in politics dating back to the attack on Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.
- Certain aspects of this conflict, such as the damage to infrastructure and the loss of military personnel on both sides, were heavily criticized in general-news outlets worldwide, with many countries siding with India and acknowledging its right to self-defense.
- As tensions continue to escalate between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has emphasized its commitment to dealing decisively with any recurrence of violence and maintaining a tough stance against terrorism, while also managing international and domestic expectations in the realm of politics.
