BLOOD ON MEADOW, FIRE IN SKY : INDIA AVENGES PAHALGAM

Since 1989, India faced several terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, sponsored by Pakistan. This led to the genocide and forced displacement of Kashmiri Pundits, who became refugees in their own country. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes are the terrorist groups based in Pakistan, funded and trained by the ISI and the Pakistani Army. Some of the major Pakistan-Linked terrorist attacks in India include:

1. 2001 Indian Parliament Attack- Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists attacked the Parliament, leading to a fierce gun battle with security personnel. All the five terrorists were killed along with nine security personnel. It led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, bringing the two nations to the brink of war. Afzal Guru was arrested, tried and convicted for involvement in the attack and was executed in 2013.

2. 2008 Mumbai Attacks (26/11) - Ten LeT terrorists carried out coordinated attacks in Mumbai, killing 166 people, including 18 security personnel and 26 foreign nationals. The terrorists arrived by sea from Karachi, armed with AK-47s, grenades, and explosives, they split into groups and attacked various high profile locations including the Taj Hotel. Ajmal Kasab, the only surviving attacker was captured, he was tried and executed in 2012. Pakistan refused to accept him as its citizen. The attacks exposed critical lapses in India’s coastal and internal security, and the relationship with Pakistan deteriorated sharply. One of the handlers, Tahawwur Rana, was recently extradited to India from the US, and is under interrogation.

 These attacks prompted India to overhaul its internal security apparatus, leading to the establishment of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the deployment of NSG hubs in major cities. However, India didn’t take any direct military action on Pakistan.

3. 2016 Uri Attack – Four heavily armed JeM militants attacked an Indian Army base in Uri, Baramula district, killing 19 soldiers, all four terrorists were also neutralized in the gun battle. On 29th September2016, India conducted surgical strikes across the LoC targeting terror launchpads, killing numerous terrorists and handlers, no Indian casualties were reported. This marked a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism strategy and further strained India-Pakistan relations.

4.  2019 Pulwama attack – A JeM suicide bomber killed 40 CRPF personnel, making it the deadliest attack on Indian security forces in decades. India responded with the Balakot airstrike, destroying the JeM training camps in Pakistan and killing many terrorists, trainers, and commanders. This was the first airstrike by India on Pakistani territory since the 1971 war.   

Following the abrogation of article 370 and 35A in 2019, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir improved significantly. There was a sharp decline in the terrorist activities and a surge in development and tourism. Over two crore tourists visited Kashmir last year, creating job opportunities for locals and boosting infrastructure. However, provocative rhetoric continued. Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir, during a fiery speech in Islamabad on 18th April, stated that the Hindus and Muslims are different in religion, customs, traditions, thoughts, and ambitions. And that was the foundation of two nation theory. It was criticized in Pakistan for potentially deepening religious divides and diverting attention from pressing domestic issues. In India, these comments have been perceived as inflammatory, especially in the context of ongoing tensions between two countries. Indian officials expressed concern over the potential for such rhetoric to exacerbate communal tensions. Asim Munir spoke more like a cleric than an Army General. His ideological stance was soon followed by a brutally communal terrorist attack.

On 22nd April 2025, five heavily armed militants attacked tourists at the Baisaran meadow, a popular scenic site near Pahalgam, often referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’. Around 2.30 pm, the terrorists killed 26 Hindu tourists using M4 carbines and AK-47 rifles, the attackers, dressed in military style uniforms, selectively identified and killed Hindu men. This horrific act represented a major intelligence and security failure. The Resistance Front (TRF), linked to LeT, initially claimed the responsibility of the act. Among the attackers, three were Pakistani nationals and two were local operatives. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified 14 local terrorists providing logistical support, affiliated with groups like LeT, JeM, and Hizbul Mujahiddin. A joint operation involving the Army, CRPF, and Police was launched. Prime Minister Modi curtailed his visit to Saudi Arabia and assured the nation that the perpetrators of the act and their handlers will be brought to justice. Leaders worldwide, including Presidents Trump and Putin condemned the attack.

India responded with a series of political and strategic measures: the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was put in abeyance, revoked visas for Pakistani nationals, banned certain YouTube channels, and expelled Pakistani military advisers. The IWT is a water sharing agreement signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, brokered by the World Bank, to manage the use of rivers in the Indus River system. The treaty governs six rivers of Indus basin, which flow from India to Pakistan. Western rivers allocated to Pakistan are Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. Eastern rivers to India are Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Suspended IWT is signaling a shift from diplomatic restraint to pressure tactics. This marked a major geopolitical development with possible consequences for regional water security and diplomacy. Pakistan will go into the deep crisis on not getting water from India.

  The nation awaited decisive military action. Prime Minister Modi held continuous high level meetings with CCS, NSA, CDS, and Defense Minister. There was also an all-party meeting convened by the government, where opposition leaders pledged their support. Armed forces conducted regular drills in high state of readiness. Finally on 7th May 2025, at 1.04 am, India carried out precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre two weeks ago. The 26 minute action codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor’ was announced by the defense ministry at 1.44 am. The strikes targeted bases of UN proscribed terror groups such as LeT and JeM located across the international border and the Line of Control.

At a press briefing, foreign secretary Vikram Misri informed that India’s measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible strikes on sites in Pakistan and PoK were a response to the killing of 26 people in Pahalgam terror attack, and aimed at pre-empting and deterring more cross-border assaults. He was joined by two distinguished women officers, Colonel Sofia Querashi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who provided the details of the targeted terrorist bases.

 India successfully destroyed nine terror hubs, eliminating over 100 terrorists, including Rauf Azhar, the operational head of JeM and the mastermind of IC 814 hijacking. The mission, involving Rafale, Sukhoi, MiG-29, and Mirage jets, was completed without any Indian casualties. Pakistan retaliated by firing missiles and drones on Indian military installations, which were successfully intercepted. Pakistan continues to operate as a rogue state, using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. The International community must act decisively to eliminate terrorism in Pakistan and safeguard its nuclear arsenal. Though nine terror hubs have been neutralized, many more remain. As announced by the Minister of Defense, ‘Operation Sindoor’ is not over yet. While Pakistan attempts to escalate, India is effectively responding. India’s fight against terrorism will continue, and its armed forces will always make the nation proud.

By Manoj Dubey
Principal (Retd.)
Delhi Public Schools

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