India in the last two decades, has been trying to paint Pakistan on the diplomatic channels, as a net exporter of terrorism. On 13 December 2001, when the Indian Parliament was attacked, India blamed Pakistan and moved its forces to the border and war seemed imminent.
Consequent to a master defensive manoeuvre by the Pakistan Army, India realized that its offensive would not be able to achieve its objective, and war was averted. Subsequently it became a predictable activity after every terrorist incident in India. Without going into details, fingers were pointed towards Pakistan
In 2008 terrorists struck Mumbai, it was called 26/11 of India, and the armies moved to the borders, however the situation was better handled diplomatically by Manmohan Singh. On 18 September 2016, after a terrorist activity in Uri, India carried out “surgical strikes” on the LOC in AJK. Three years later, when Indian elections were around the corner, after a false flag operation in Pulwama on 14 February 2019, the Modi government decided to drop a few bombs on the trees of Balakot. This time Pakistan decided to respond, and not only engaged targets across the LOC, but also shot down two Indian aircraft. Indian pilot Abhinandan landed in Pakistani territory and was let off as a goodwill gesture after being served a fantastic cup of tea.
India, despite its best efforts, failed to club Pakistan among rogue nations. The Pahalgam incident on 22 April 2025 was, therefore, carefully choreographed to create a 1971-like moment for the BJP. Terrorism saw a surge in the last six months, to unleash a neo-Mukti Bahini in Pakistan. Political polarization in the country was accentuated by the surge in terrorist activities. All this had a demoralizing effect on the Pakistani nation. Some cynics in Pakistan drew parallels between the current situation and the environment of East Pakistan in 1971. Pakistan’s economy was “struggling”, and was also enticing for the Indians. Indian government may have strongly felt that striking Pakistan at this point could create a high point, before the centenary meeting of the RSS in September 2025.
The Pahalgam false-flag operation was perfectly designed. Its FIR against Pakistan was launched within 10 minutes of the incident. Prime Minister Modi decided to cut his visit to KSA short, where billions of dollars’ worth MoUs were to be signed. He called a meeting on security at the airport, and immediately flagged Pakistan with the terrorists. In coming days, he granted his armed forces operational freedom to avenge Pahalgam.
The Indian government received an injury to its ego and future plans, when it failed to convince the capitals of the world to link Pakistan with the Pahalgam incident. It received a shock when Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif offered an impartial and neutral inquiry. Its plans were rebuked by the international community and Pakistan was not censured by any country. Pakistan achieved a diplomatic turnaround and most nations of the world started proposing a probe into the incident.
Pakistan on the other hand, utilized a template in which all elements of power and institutions worked in synergy, to bring out the most efficacious results. This was Pakistan’s déjà vu of 6 September 1965, or even better. Pakistanis now stand united in the love for their country and its defenders. The Kashmir issue is again in the international focus. Pakistan must pursue its case at all forums of the world, to absolve itself of the blame of harboring terrorism once and for all. Pakistan must talk about Kashmir and terrorism with India, as desired by Modi, to highlight Indian involvement in terrorism in Pakistan.
India acted exactly the way it wanted to, and launched strikes on six locations in Pakistan on the night of 7 May, inflicting death and injuries on 62 innocent civilians including children and women besides estroying mosques. But in the process it lost three Rafales, one Su30, one Mig29 and one Mirage 2000. In that one night India lost its military and moral prestige. Pakistan not only achieved aerial supremacy but also moral ascendancy.
In the next two days, drones of all types including loitering munitions kept flying in the territories of both the countries. Pakistan claimed to have shot down 77 drones, with evidence, including Israeli anufactured Harop drones. On the night of May 9 and 10, Indian ballistic missiles struck Pakistan’s bases and caused damage to the hangar and runways of Nur Khan, Bholari, and Sargodha airbases and buildings at Sheikh Zayed airport. In counter strikes, Pakistan destroyed Indian S-400, Brahmos storage site, dumps, artillery gun positions and airbases. A total of 26 locations were engaged and damaged. The Indian military spokesperson in its briefing brushed aside the exact details of damage and number of casualties, declaring that in war or conflict, it is a routine matter.
India for the last few years tried to successfully project itself as a regional and global leader with the world’s fourth largest economy and huge spending on defence. It has been courted by the USA and its allies as a geopolitical partner. India perpetually tried to impress upon the West that it should be treated as a counterweight to China and as a player in the Indo-Pacific region, and Pakistan should not be considered a match to India.
The West believed India until the Pahalgam drama, but the four days of conflict brought that image to naught. Pakistan, with its better military skills, diplomatic and media management, has now achieved equality with India. Modi was forced to bite the dust when the President of the USA in his tweets mentioned how he managed a ceasefire between the two countries, and would like India and Pakistan to sit and talk about Kashmir. This was inconceivable to shining India. Indian electronic media also lost credibility when the New York Times exposed its lies in the four days’ conflict with Pakistan.
Pakistan on the other hand, utilized a template in which all elements of power and institutions worked in synergy, to bring out the most efficacious results. This was Pakistan’s déjà vu of 6 September 1965, or even better. Pakistanis now stand united in the love for their country and its defenders. The Kashmir issue is again in the international focus. Pakistan must pursue its case at all forums of the world, to absolve itself of the blame of harboring terrorism once and for all. Pakistan must talk about Kashmir and terrorism with India, as desired by Modi, to highlight Indian involvement in terrorism in Pakistan.
