Pahalgam payback

PAKISTAN and its notorious terror factories had it coming. A big red line was crossed when terrorists massacred unsuspecting tourists in Pahalgam on April 22; the targeted killings were aimed not only at disrupting hard-earned near-normalcy in Kashmir but also to exacerbate communal tensions. A fuming India hit back with a diplomatic and economic squeeze before going for the jugular with Operation Sindoor. A series of precision attacks by Indian jets struck at the heart of Pakistan’s terror infrastructure, including training camps, launch pads and headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Both outfits have been in the crosshairs of Indian security agencies for decades, right from the Parliament attack (2001) to the Mumbai terror strikes (2008) and the Pulwama suicide bombing (2019).

New Delhi patiently waited for two weeks, expecting Islamabad to take action against terrorists and raze their camps. Instead, Pakistan preferred to remain in denial mode and even levelled allegations of false flag operations against India; reckless sabre-rattling by its ministers was another act of desperation. The clock was ticking, yet Pakistan was busy digging a hole for itself. Finally, it took India all of 25 minutes to tell its hostile, incorrigible neighbour in no uncertain terms — enough is enough.

The ‘measured’ and ‘non-escalatory’ strikes — which avoided Pakistani civilian, economic and military targets — have showcased India as a responsible regional power. Pakistan has been thoroughly exposed as a nation unwilling to shun cross-border adventurism despite having ample troubles at home. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has put the onus on India to de-escalate the situation. The ball, however, is clearly in the Islamabad-Rawalpindi court. Pakistan, now itself a blood-soaked victim of terrorism, must realise that its strategy to bleed India with a thousand cuts has become a millstone around its neck. The

May 7 message is loud and clear — provoke India at your own peril. The question is: Will Pakistan see reason at long last or continue to follow a suicidal course?

Editorials