India-Pakistan war not likely; missile attacks against terrorist facilities expected: Defence analyst
TOPSHOT - Security personnel inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack as food stall chairs lie empty in Pahalgam, about 90kms (55 miles) from Srinagar on April 23, 2025. Indian security forces in Kashmir carried out a major manhunt on April 23, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists killing 26 people in the region's deadliest attack on civilians since 2000. (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP)
A defence analyst claimed that India is likely to opt for targeted strikes, including missile attacks against terrorist facilities, as retaliatory action against Pakistan in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead.
Taking to X, national security and Indo-Pacific analyst Derek J. Grossman said he has been having many conversations on the India-Pakistan crisis and added that "New Delhi in fact doesn't want to start a broader war because it isn't well prepared to handle the potential fallout."
According to him, India may choose to go for targeted strikes, including missile attacks against terrorist facilities, "to symbolically demonstrate strength and avoid any major Pakistani retaliation—but this can hardly be guaranteed."
Meanwhile, in what could be perceived as an act of provocation, Pakistan, on Saturday, announced that it conducted a successful training launch of a surface-to-surface missile the Abdali Weapon System. The missile has a range of 450 km.
READ MORE: A warning to India? Pakistan test-fires surface-to-surface missile Abdali amid escalating tensions
The Pakistan Army, in a statement, claimed that the launch was aimed at ensuring the operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters, including the missile's advanced navigation system and enhanced manoeuvrability features.
The army said Pakistan authorities expressed complete confidence in the operational preparedness and technical proficiency of Pakistan's Strategic Forces to ensure credible minimum deterrence and safeguard national security against any aggression.
Defence