Imposed heavy cost of terror on Pak, it’s new normal: Govt

Pakistan has been warned of a greater military response if hostilities resume, as Operation Sindoor remains ongoing. A third-party mediation has been ruled out on all issues, including Kashmir, while the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) will stay suspended until cross-border terrorism ends.

“The military cost of terror imposed on Pakistan has set a new normal that the world will get used to. It is not business as usual. Pakistan needs to get used to that,” government sources said.

For now, the only discussions will occur between the two militaries at the level of the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO). The next round of DGMO-level talks is scheduled for 12 noon tomorrow.

On Kashmir, the sources clarified that the sole issue between India and Pakistan was the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to India. This comes amid media reports suggesting a “resumption of talks in a neutral location”, as proposed by the US administration. The sources reiterated India’s clear stance, “We have a clear position. It is the return of PoK. They can hand over the illegal territory directly and surrender terrorists. That is the only discussion we need to have with Pakistan. We have no intention of discussing any other topic.”

They confirmed that US Vice-President JD Vance called PM Narendra Modi on the night of May 9, urging an end to hostilities. PM Modi told Vance that “if Pakistan does anything, it will face a response more devastating than ever”. That same night, Pakistan launched a wave of attacks.

At a media briefing today, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations for the IAF, said multiple attacks occurred on the night of May 9-10. “In the early hours of May 10, we hit them very hard on multiple airbases,” he said. Hours later, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir reportedly advised de-escalation. Shortly after, Pakistan’s DGMO Major General Kashif Abdullah, called up his Indian counterpart Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, seeking a “pause in hostilities”.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack and during discussions on the response, PM Modi made it clear, “Agar goli chalegi to jawab gole se hoga” (If they fire a bullet, the response will be with a bigger weapon). The government pursued a three-pronged strategy, political, military and psychological. “Pakistan cannot continue cross-border terrorism while expecting cooperation in areas of its own choosing (like the Indus Water Treaty),” the sources said.

Internationally, India secured a strong statement at the UN Security Council (UNSC), underlining the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism accountable. This happened despite Pakistan being a non-permanent UNSC member. Pakistan’s attempts to shield the “Resistance Front” were seen by UNSC members as an attempt to protect terror outfits.

Nation