Under Modi, New Delhi has shifted to visible statecraft — making it clear that spilling Indian blood will now carry a tangible, painful cost.
Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer
The story of Jammu and Kashmir has been not less than any Hollywood Franchise for which it has been costing us loads of money, human lives and political drama on the national and International platforms. The Prime M inister who was Chief Minister of vibrant Gujarat brutally attacked then PM Dr Manmohan Singh, how did the terrorist enter Indian soil and caused the considerable damage by killing innocent people and Jawans. He questioned on every attack sponsored by Pakistan in ten years of rule by UPA.
This story for BJP started when Kandhar hijack took place and NDA government released dreaded terrorists in exchange of innocent passengers who had boarded the flight. In last ine decade, BJP claimed they have achieved normalcy in Kashmir, but most of the deadliest attack was during the NDA rule, hence proven to be another ‘Jumla’. The irony is no one is ready to take responsibility for the security lapses and intelligence failure, be it Pahalgam, Udhampur, Pulwama, Pathankot or in other incident in the list.
The breathtaking beauty of Kashmir’s pine-clad mountains was brutally interrupted when 27 innocent civilians, including a Nepalese tourist, were executed in cold blood. Survivors recount a chilling scene where attackers demanded religious identification before shooting, turning a holiday into a nightmare fuelled by fanatic hatred. Unfortunately, Kashmiri tourism industry has suffered yet again because of failures by the government which they don’t want to own. “Godi” media as usual tried its best to label this as Hindu-Muslim affair, which was smartly rebutted by sensible travellers immediately despite being in shock and shattered.
Initial probes have, unsurprisingly, pointed towards Pakistan-based terror organizations, with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) topping the list of suspects. The methodical targeting of Hindu tourists, who had come to soak in the valley’s natural charm, signals a horrifying shift in terrorist strategy — from hitting soldiers to targeting soft civilian groups in a blatant attempt to ignite communal fires.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, midway through a diplomatic mission in Riyadh, aborted his visit and returned to New Delhi to immediately chair an emergency security meeting. Home Minister Amit Shah landed directly at ground zero, surveying the tragedy firsthand. India’s retaliatory actions were rapid and pointed. “Swift Actions, No Hollow Words”
Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, expulsion of Pakistani military attachés, withdrawal of diplomatic personnel, closure of the Attari–Wagah border crossing. Military assets mobilized along the LoC.
Predictably, Pakistan responded the only way it knows: shutting its airspace for Indian flights and issuing its usual “we condemn terrorism” statement while simultaneously cuddling the masterminds behind it. Gone are the days when India merely filed diplomatic protests and went back to business as usual. Under Modi, New Delhi has shifted to visible statecraft — making it clear that spilling Indian blood will now carry a tangible, painful cost.
History Lessons — Unlearned by Some
From the 2000 Chattisingh pora massacre to the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing, India has repeatedly tasted the bitter fruit of cross-border terrorism. But what has evolved, particularly under the current leadership, is India’s response: no longer confined to diplomatic cable exchanges but expressed through precision strikes and bold military manoeuvres.
Remember the 2016 surgical strikes after Uri? Or the Balakot airstrikes post-Pulwama? Those weren’t just tactical victories but statements: we see you; we can hit you, and we will.
The attack on unarmed civilians this time, however, evokes dark memories of the 2002 Kaluchak massacre and reflects a desperate, provocative change in terror tactics — aimed squarely at tearing social harmony apart.
During the Kargil conflict of 1999, it took American arm-twisting to make Pakistan’s generals crawl back. Today, the global tune has changed. With Washington and Europe more interested in nurturing India as a counterweight to China, there’s little appetite for lecturing New Delhi on “restraint.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan, true to form, is a cauldron of crises: soaring inflation, IMF bailouts, political chaos, and a military that’s better at harbouring terrorists than running a country. Groups like JeM and LeT, frequently donning new names like “The Resistance Front” to avoid sanctions, continue to operate openly under the army’s wink-and-nod supervision.
Economic collapse, political anarchy, international humiliation — but somehow Pakistan always finds time (and a few AK-47s) to send across death. What’s Next? Not Just Lip Service
Condemnations have poured in from the U.S., Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Even nations that usually sit on the fence regarding Kashmir have acknowledged the heinousness of the attack — though, predictably, many have also thrown in the obligatory “urge for restraint.”
“Terrorism will not break India’s spirit, and it will not go unpunished. We will track down every terrorist, handler, and sponsor — even to the ends of the earth.”
Retaliation Without Recklessness
India’s challenge isn’t whether to respond — that’s a foregone conclusion. The question is how to respond without spiralling into a full-blown war with another nuclear-armed nation.
Past examples, like the surgical strikes and the Balakot raid, showed that India can strike terrorist targets without hurting civilians or igniting uncontrollable escalation. That playbook, sharpened with newer technology and global clout, is likely to guide India’s hand again.
Strategic retaliation — smart, sharp, and undeniable — would restore deterrence without feeding into Pakistan’s eternal fantasy of “internationalizing” Kashmir by provoking wider conflict.
Final Word: No More Business as Usual
Tourists came to the valley with cameras and dreams. Terrorists came with guns and a death wish. Pakistan, as usual, came with denial and a shrug.
But India, this time too, comes prepared — with determination sharpened by experience, global support, and a public unwilling to accept helplessness. As the nation mourns its dead, it also sharpens its resolve: Never forgive, never forget, never allow it to happen again without consequences.
And for once, the message to Pakistan is unmistakable — even if they pretend not to hear it.
As Kashmir mourns yet another terror attack, India signals that the days of restraint are over — and this time, the world isn’t looking the other way.”
(The views expressed in the article are of the author and not of Straight Talk Communications)