Tensions between India and Pakistan have once again escalated in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam, where innocent lives were lost to a cowardly act of violence. India’s strong and focused military response — targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites, including those operating in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — was a clear signal that acts of terror will not be tolerated. However, the aftermath of these precision strikes has seen a dangerous turn, with Pakistan responding not through diplomatic channels or de-escalation, but by resorting to indiscriminate rocket and drone attacks on 15 civilian cities across India.
The Indian defence forces, to their credit, have successfully neutralised every missile and drone strike with precision, demonstrating both superior preparedness and technological capability. These events highlight the reality that while Pakistan continues to present itself as a nuclear-armed nation, it lacks both the military capacity and the international support to confront India in a conventional war. Nevertheless, the threat to India is far from over — and perhaps, in many ways, has just entered a more complex phase.
It is essential to take note of the veiled threats issued by the Pakistan military leadership in the wake of India’s successful anti-terror operations. Faced with a lack of strategic advantage and the inability to match India’s military might, there is growing concern that Pakistan may revert to its decades-old playbook — the use of proxy terrorist organisations to carry out asymmetric attacks on Indian soil. This has been a historically favoured approach of the Pakistani establishment when faced with direct military confrontation.
This potential shift in strategy demands an equally strategic and layered response from the Indian government and its security apparatus. First and foremost, our intelligence agencies — both domestic and international — must be strengthened, empowered, and fully mobilised. Agencies like the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), and others must work in full coordination with military intelligence to pre-empt and neutralise any attempt to strike at our cities.
The nature of modern terrorism is such that it often slips through conventional military defences. Urban centres, public gatherings, transportation hubs, and critical infrastructure must be placed under a heightened state of surveillance and security. State police departments and local administration need to be kept in the loop with central agencies, ensuring intelligence is not just gathered but also acted upon swiftly at the grassroots level. Coordination between various layers of security — central, state, and even local — is no longer optional; it is a necessity.
The government must also prepare the public for this phase of heightened alert. Awareness campaigns on identifying suspicious activities, public reporting mechanisms, and emergency preparedness can serve as powerful tools in combating proxy terror threats. Equally important is ensuring that communal harmony is preserved during such times. Terrorists seek not just to kill, but to divide and destabilise. India’s true strength lies in its unity.
Diplomatically, India must continue to build pressure on Pakistan by rallying global opinion against state-sponsored terrorism. Recent developments have shown that the world is increasingly receptive to India’s position. Multilateral forums, international watchdogs, and key global allies must be engaged proactively. Sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and economic deterrents remain effective levers to constrain Pakistan’s reckless actions.
In conclusion, while the military response to the Pahalgam terror attack has reasserted India’s strength, the battle is far from over. The next phase may be less visible but potentially more dangerous. The government must respond with unwavering vigilance, not just through firepower, but through intelligence, internal security, and public readiness. We must not allow the enemy to destabilise us from within. It is not just about defeating a threat — it is about preserving the peace, unity, and resilience of our nation.