India's Missile Strikes on Pakistan Called Ineffectual: Will They Prevent Future Armed Assaults?
Revamped Dispatch from New Delhi:
India's Tactics in the Spotlight: As tensions soar between India and Pakistan, New Delhi's recent missile strikes on Pakistani and Kashmiri territories have provoked intense debate-both within India and beyond. The bold moves are said to be retaliation for Pakistan's alleged support of terrorist groups, but observers question their effectiveness and long-term implications.
Tactical Timeline
A slideshow presentation at the Indian military briefing highlighted the atrocities committed by militant groups, including the 2001 Parliament attack in New Delhi, the 2002 Akshardham Temple assault in Ahmedabad, the 2008 Mumbai siege, and the April 2025 Pahalgam massacre. The foreign secretary alleged a failure from Pakistan to dismantle terroristic infrastructures.
Symbolic Strength or Empty Bluster?
Military analysts challenge the notion that this all-out offensive instills fear in potential attackers. Ajai Sahni, executive director of the South Asia Terrorism Portal, asserts that such strikes lack deterrent value and are primarily a gimmick to sway public opinion. He believes the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is more focused on winning domestic support than enhancing India's tactical advantage in the "fight against terror."
Pakistan, in response to Indian threats, has declared its readiness to retaliate and has accused India of launching drone incursions into Pakistani territory on Thursday, further straining relations. However, as the back-and-forth escalates, experts predict that armed groups will strategically adapt rather than be fundamentally incapacitated.
A Renewed Armed Movement?
The tactical adaptations are already on display, with the April 2025 Pahalgam attack providing an example. This incident showcased militants' ability to regroup and pose a threat despite India's countermeasures. Despite the loss of material resources, there remains implicit support for such groups within Pakistan, ensuring they'll return stronger.
Shifts in the Summit
In the wee hours of Wednesday, Pakistan claimed to have downed several Indian fighter jets participating in the missile strikes, though Indian officials have not confirmed these reports. If accurate, the loss of aircraft could make future Indian incursions into Pakistani territory riskier, and further testing the limits of what constitutes "escalation" in this fragile relationship.
While both nations may claim victory, there's a growing consensus that the current standoff has entered uncharted territory. The unwritten boundaries between tit-for-tat threats and full-blown conflict have blurred, creating a dangerous atmosphere with potential long-term consequences for India and Pakistan-and the region as a whole.
- The escalating war-and-conflicts between India and Pakistan, provoked by India's missile strikes on Pakistani and Kashmiri territories, has raised questions about the human rights involved, especially considering the potential long-term implications.
- The slideshow presentation at the Indian military briefing highlighted numerous terrorism incidents, including the 2001 Parliament attack in New Delhi, as evidence of Pakistan's alleged support of terrorist groups.
- Military analysts argue that the Indian government's all-out offensive against militant groups may be mere countermeasures aimed at boosting public opinion rather than a long-term strategy, being more focused on politics and general-news impact.
- Pakistan's response to Indian threats includes accusations of Indian drone incursions into Pakistani territory, leading to concerns about further straining relations and conflict escalation.
- As militant groups strategically adapt to India's countermeasures, there's a growing fear that this war may lead to a renewed armed movement in regions like Kashmir, with potential long-term consequences for political stability.
- Amidst the launching of missile strikes and the back-and-forth calculations, there's increasing uncertainty about the exact boundaries between tit-for-tat threats and full-blown war, creating a volatile atmosphere that could have significant long-term impacts for both India and Pakistan, as well as the wider region.
