As a veteran of three wars – 1962, 1965, 1971, IPKF and counter insurgency operations of North East and J & K - who followed the face of Pakistan-backed Islamist terrorism since 1989 very closely, I would like to caution “We the People” not to get emotionally swayed by the political party leadership war cry’s against Pakistan. Also, indulge in blame game politics – Pahalgam is an intelligence failure.
Let me highlight that radical Islamist terrorism cannot be totally eliminated considering that its grass root inspiration springs from religious fervor – Jihad. In retrospect, the Hindus are facing the brunt of “Civilization War”: Jihad with the end objective of establishing Islamist Caliphate/State in India. Recent General Munir, COAS of Pak Army, address is proof of their dreams.
No need for high flown “Intelligence Experts” to track their activities. If one looks to one’s own backyard, one can find a number of Islamist radical organizations in all Indian States to include: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, UP, MP, J & K and so on. “Sleeper Cells” are lurking around in safe havens to strike at the first opportunity at the behest of their foreign handlers.
The society – We the People – is to be blamed for the above crisis situation. For, they are responsible and accountable for not reporting the Islamist radical activities to the local administration and police.
Surely, the people of Pahalgam knew about the terrorists activities. Had they forewarned the local police and administration, the massacre of 26 would not have taken place.
No point in visual media warmongering. The Indian government has announced various initiatives particularly the abrogation of the Indus Rivers Treaty. It is an excellent move. If not a drop of water is allowed to go through Harike-Hussainiwala Barrage, on Rivers Sutlej and Beas and Sulemanki Barrage opposite Fazilka, and Madhapur Barrage-Thein Dam on River Ravi, and stop the flow of River Waters of Chenab at Akhnoor and Jammu, its adverse fallout on Pakistan would be devastating. After all, the three Rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlez have been given to India as per Indus Rivers Water Treaty.
Omar Abdullah is quite correct in demanding a share of River Waters, particularly Chenab, for the valley. In retrospect, stopping Indus river waters flow into Pakistan is a Brahmastra. Modi and the NDA government must not go back on their declaration.
Next, it’s time for India to stop nibbling at the edges of terror by dismantling three or five houses of terrorists. Surely, there is highly accurate intelligence available of all LeT, JeM and other terrorists. Add to them, the terrorists in jails today. All their houses must be destroyed. Even OGWs houses must be destroyed. Otherwise, blowing up a couple of houses is only tokenism. And tokenism never defeats terror. It only emboldens it.
Pakistan has long used terrorism as state policy and its epi-center. It harbors, trains, funds, and deploys terror groups like LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen as strategic assets. These are not ‘rogue elements’. They are pawns of Rawalpindi and puppets of the Pakistani state. And yet, what we’ve seen in recent weeks are half-measures— arrests, selective demolitions, and loud condemnations. Where is the full-spectrum clean-up? Why are their OGWs and sympathizers still roaming free in Jammu and Kashmir?
Now is the time to turn the Valley into a no-go zone for terrorists and their local enablers. Seize their properties, cut off their logistics, destroy their shelters. It is only after purging our own soil of this menace that we should unleash the full might of our military on terror infrastructure across the border. And make no mistake—India today has that capability. If people of Pahalgam and Gulmarg want tourists to return to their lands, they must first expose all the villains operating from their midst. Otherwise, they suffer the loss of their businesses.
The Narendra Modi-led government has made it abundantly clear: those who dare to test India’s patience will receive a response so severe, they won’t recover. His words are not mere rhetoric—they are a warning and a promise. The only question now is whether our security machinery is ready to act with the same steel.
The strategy to be adopted is graduated escalatory response: the time and place of choosing best left to the security agencies. No need to rush into a major war. After all, urban warfare – fighting in Built-up Areas are not only time-consuming but also cause heavy casualties on both sides. Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, and Israel-Lebanon recent wars are good examples for prolonged battles with no end in sight.
With precision-guided long range surface to surface missiles and rockets munitions available, our armed forces are equipped to neutralize Pakistan-based terror camps and their command and control headquarters at Muridke and Bharwalpur with clinical efficiency.
What about lending covert support to Baluch and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa separatist groups in pursuit of disintegrating Pakistan? A long term strategic option that needs to be pursued.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has become a snake pit of terrorism: Bangladesh Taliban, Jamaatul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Jamaat ul-Mujahideen (JUM). A potent network of extortion, intimidation and protection money now operates across the borders into neighboring states in India.
India has never been in a stronger position, militarily or diplomatically. Under Modi’s leadership, we’ve not just built deterrence—we’ve won the world’s trust. He has turned global sentiment in our favour—something no previous administration could achieve. No longer is India pleading its case on the backfoot. We are now a confident, assertive power, setting the terms.
The entire global community today stands with India. From the United States to the European Union, from France to Australia, and even traditionally neutral countries, everyone has expressed unflinching support for India’s right to self-defence. Washington has gone further—Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly condemned Pakistan-backed terror and affirmed India’s right to respond as it deems fit. European Parliament members have called out Pakistan’s double game. Russia, our long-time strategic partner, stands shoulder to shoulder with us. Even Israel, which understands terrorism better than most, has extended full support.
And while Pakistan may keep rattling its nuclear sabre, the world knows its bluff. Nuclear weapons are not tools of blackmail—they’re a last resort. And Pakistan, mired in economic collapse, political chaos, and international isolation, is in no position to take that gamble. Even their own ministers have now admitted—whether in a moment of candour or carelessness—that they abetted terrorism at the behest of the U.S. That confession should be used not just for condemnation but as international evidence. Let the world know: Pakistan is not a victim of terrorism—it is the factory that breeds terrorism.
Terrorists must now be hunted across every inch of land they tread. From the hills of Kashmir to the caves of Waziristan and Kanykumari, there should be no refuge. This is the time for India to act, not with restraint, but with resolve. No more symbolic demolitions. No more ‘limited’ strikes. No more warnings. The calibrated moves must be for decisive and devastating effect.
Our soldiers are ready. Our people are united. And our leadership has the will. Let’s end this long, bloody chapter with the force it deserves.
We didn’t ask for this fight—but we must finish it.
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