Editorials
April 26, 2025 – One of the most horrifying and heartbreaking days in Indian history. Twenty-six innocent tourists, journeying through the Paradise of India, which is quite ironic, given the recurring tragedies the nation has endured in that very paradise, were blissfully unaware that they were just moments away from facing death in its most brutal, agonizing, and dehumanizing form. The reason for their death? Religion? Terrorism? Politics?
Pahalgam Attack: The Beginning of Pakistan’s Downfall
On April 22, the serene valley of Pahalgam was shattered by a horrifying act of terror. A Pakistan-based group, “The Resistance Front” (TRF), carried out a heart-wrenching attack that claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists—people who had come seeking peace and beauty, but instead met a fate no one deserves. In a deeply disturbing move, the victims were brutally segregated based on their religion before being killed in cold blood. TRF, an offshoot of the infamous Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba, brazenly claimed responsibility for the massacre not once, but twice within hours. Pakistan’s continued denial and failure to dismantle such terror networks left India with no choice but to respond—not with vengeance, but with a firm and dignified resolve to protect its people and uphold justice.
Operation Sindoor: The Precision Game
After the dreadful attack on Indian civilians, there were speculations about India's next move. What the world never expected was India's decision to suspend the “Indus Waters Treaty.”
But what followed was even more unexpected. In response to the cruel act, the Government of India executed Operation Sindoor on May 7 and 8, 2025. The response was non-escalatory, precise, and targeted terrorist training camps at nine different locations within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. No military targets were engaged. However, in the early hours of May 8, Pakistan launched a coordinated drone and missile strike targeting over a dozen Indian military installations across the Northern and Western theatres, including Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, and Bhuj. India’s robust Integrated Counter-Drone Grid and layered Air Defence system, S-400, intercepted these attacks, recovering debris conclusively traced to Pakistani origin.
Read the full report of the Consulate General of India on Operation Sindoor here!
Pakistan: The Unfortunate “Victim”
Modern-day conflicts are not just fought on the battlefield; they are also fought in minds, the psychological sphere, social media, and cyberspace. All these aspects contribute to the overall narrative.
Pakistan, for example, resorted to the psychological warfare tactic of self-victimization. According to Pakistani media and government officials, India deliberately targeted Pakistani civilians, without presenting solid proof, facts, or figures. Another petty technique employed by Pakistan was the projection of “false heroism” of their army. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif claimed that Pakistan had shot down five Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales. When asked for evidence, the Minister’s response was—“It’s all over social media.”
Watch the full interview of Khwaja Asif with CNN
In contrast, India provided proof for all its moves, from the evidence of terrorist activity at the nine targeted sites in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Tehra Kalan, Sialkot, Barnala, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, to satellite images of the targeted areas. More than five official joint press conferences of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Armed Forces were held, addressing the precision strike and publicly showcasing the evidence.
Watch the full press conference regarding Operation Sindoor!
The US-Mediated Ceasefire
On January 11, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire under US mediation. However, just two hours after the announcement, Pakistan violated the ceasefire by attacking cities in Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, on the other hand, denied Trump’s claim of brokering the ceasefire.
"From the time Operation Sindoor started on May 7 till the understanding on cessation of military action on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions," the MEA stated.
The World’s Perspective
Countries like China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan publicly extended their support to Pakistan, condemning India’s response as “cruel” and “unprofessional.” They also offered condolences—not to the victims of the terrorist attack—but to those affected by India’s retaliatory strikes, a gesture that sparked widespread criticism.
In contrast, nations such as the UK, France, and Israel stood firmly with India, asserting that “India has the right to hit back” in self-defense. The United States, however, presented a mixed stance—while expressing support for India’s right to defend itself, the approval of a $1 billion loan to Pakistan by the IMF stirred disappointment and concern on the Indian side.
What’s Next?
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, addressed the nation on May 13, 2025, where he made India’s stance crystal clear: “If they attack us, we'll attack harder.” Modi also emphasized that “talks of trade and terrorism cannot go hand in hand,” making it evident that India will not resume the Indus Waters Treaty unless Pakistan accepts the fact that it has been funding and breeding terrorism within its borders.
Watch PM Modi’s address on Operation Sindoor!
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