India’s latest military doctrine warns Pakistan that any future terror strike will trigger full-scale retaliation. Operation Sindoor might just be the beginning of a new era of national security
BY PC Bureau
India has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, declaring that any future terror attack on its soil will be considered an “Act of War,” according to government sources cited by PTI. The statement comes as tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have reached a boiling point following India’s Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, 2025. The operation was launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali citizen.
India’s declaration that future terror attacks will be treated as an “Act of War” reflects a hardening stance, with the government signaling zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism. PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and service chiefs on May 10 to review the situation. The Indian armed forces remain on high alert, tracking drone activities along the LoC and International Border.
Operation Sindoor, executed in the early hours of May 7, targeted nine terror bases linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including strongholds in Bahawalpur and Muridke. The 25-minute operation, described by India’s Ministry of Defence as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” neutralized several terrorists and demolished key terror infrastructure, such as the Markaz Subhan Allah, Markaz Taiba, and Sarjal facilities. Indian officials emphasized that no military installations were targeted, underscoring the operation’s precision.
The Pahalgam attack, which triggered widespread outrage, was attributed to Pakistan-based terror groups, with India alleging that two of the three suspects were Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has denied any involvement, rejecting claims of hosting terror camps. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailed Operation Sindoor as a decisive step to protect national security, with political leaders across party lines, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, expressing strong support.
🚨🚨BREAKING: 🇮🇳 🇵🇰Pakistan’s Foreign Minister signals a potential thaw, stating, “If India halts its actions, we may also consider stepping back.” pic.twitter.com/oq93FnSCR9
— Watcher Oracle (@WatcherOracle) May 10, 2025
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Pakistan’s Response and Escalation
Pakistan condemned India’s strikes as “acts of war” and a violation of its sovereignty, alleging civilian casualties, including women and children. Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif claimed the strikes targeted civilians, not terror camps, and urged international media to verify the sites. Islamabad vowed retaliation “at a time, place, and manner of its choosing,” escalating tensions through drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military infrastructure across 26 locations, from Leh to Sir Creek.
India reported thwarting these attacks, with the Indian Air Force neutralizing a Pakistan Air Force F-16 and striking air defense radars in Lahore and other locations. The Indian Army also destroyed multiple terrorist launchpads near the Line of Control (LoC) on May 9, releasing video footage of the precision strikes. However, the conflict has led to civilian casualties, with 12 civilians and one soldier killed in Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, and a senior J&K government official killed in Rajouri.
The India-Pakistan relationship has been fraught since their independence from British rule in 1947, marked by four wars (1947, 1965, 1971, and 1999) and ongoing disputes over Kashmir. Cross-border terrorism has been a persistent issue, with India accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terror groups like JeM and LeT, responsible for attacks such as the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Previous Indian responses, like the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrike, followed similar terror incidents, setting a precedent for Operation Sindoor.
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The Indus Water Treaty, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, has also been a point of contention. India’s suspension of the treaty post-Operation Sindoor, alongside banning Pakistani flights from its airspace, has further strained relations. Pakistan’s fragile $350 billion economy, recently stabilized by a $7 billion IMF loan in 2024, faces additional pressure amid the conflict.
Pakistan’s Offer of De-escalation
Amid the escalating conflict, Pakistan has signaled a willingness to de-escalate. On May 7, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated, “If India backs down, we’ll wrap up this tension,” indicating a conditional openness to diplomacy following India’s airstrikes. Unverified reports from CNN News18 on May 10 suggested that Pakistan reached out to India for direct talks, with a call between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations. This followed intense Indian airstrikes on Pakistani airbases, including Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, and Rahim Yar Khan, in response to Pakistan’s drone attacks.
The United States has played a mediating role, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaging both India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Pakistani officials, urging open communication and concrete steps to end support for terror groups. The US State Department emphasized de-escalation, with spokesperson Tammy Bruce stating that Rubio’s focus is to prevent further deterioration.
International Reactions and Calls for Restraint
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions. The G7 nations, European Union, and United Nations condemned the Pahalgam attack but urged both countries to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. China, while opposing terrorism, expressed regret over India’s actions and called for calm, though its response was guarded due to its role in diluting a UN Security Council condemnation of the Pahalgam attack. The UK, France, and UAE also advocated for de-escalation, with British PM Keir Starmer actively engaging both nations.
Turkey and Azerbaijan, however, expressed solidarity with Pakistan, with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemning India’s “unprovoked aggression.” Former UK PM Rishi Sunak and Israel, conversely, supported India’s right to self-defense against terrorism.
