India’s Record of State-Sponsored Terrorism
India remains the only country in South Asia that persistently interferes in the internal affairs of its neighbours. It employs subversion, propaganda, coercion, false flag operations, and terrorism as instruments of statecraft to assert regional hegemony and achieve political objectives.
India laid the foundation of terrorism in the region in 1971 by establishing training camps for Bengali rebels and orchestrating cross-border terrorism in former East Pakistan.
During the 20-year global war on terror, India expanded its campaign of cross-border terrorism and false flag operations against Pakistan, exploiting proxies to destabilize the country. Following Pakistan’s successful counterterrorism operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in 2014/15, India launched a renewed wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan in December 2021. Pakistan has since amassed substantial and irrefutable evidence of RAW’s involvement.
The Fabricated Victimhood Narrative
To deflect global scrutiny from its own role as a sponsor of terrorism, India crafted a narrative portraying itself as a victim and Pakistan as a hub of global terrorism. This narrative was bolstered by a series of false flag operations engineered by RAW. Despite repeated allegations, India has failed to provide credible evidence to substantiate its claims.
The Pahalgam Incident and Indus Water Treaty Suspension
Under the shield of Western patronage from the U.S., Europe, and Israel, India continues to evade accountability. On April 22, 2025, it staged a false flag incident in Pahalgam and promptly blamed Pakistan. The most provocative move followed shortly thereafter: India suspended the Indus Water Treaty (IWT)—a historically resilient agreement—even during wartime. Pakistan declared this a de facto act of war.
Modi’s War Hysteria and Strategic Misjudgements
From April 22 onwards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his nationalist allies ratcheted up war rhetoric, dismissing all advice toward restraint. Modi’s arrogance led him to ignore Pakistan’s clear warning: do not test a nuclear-armed state.
Even seasoned Indian military leaders counselled against escalation. The air chief was dismissed after highlighting the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s operational limitations, including the vulnerabilities of the Rafale jets, aging MiG-21s, and a shortage of trained pilots. Similarly, the commander of Northern Command and the deputy military intelligence chief were sacked for advising caution and exposing RAW’s orchestration of the Pahalgam incident.
Overconfidence in a Flawed Strategy
Despite glaring weaknesses, India’s leadership remained convinced of its superiority. This belief was rooted in inflated confidence over its Rafale jets, S-400 missile systems, Israeli drones, and American backing. The Modi administration believed that naval dominance via aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Srikanth would choke Karachi’s port and cripple Pakistan economically.
India assumed that Pakistan’s internal instability, economic struggles, and military fatigue from counterterrorism efforts would ensure an easy victory.
India’s Strategic Miscalculations
Modi believed that a $4 trillion economy and international alliances would secure victory. He triggered the most significant regional escalation since Kargil without forensic investigations, satellite proof, or an international inquiry—relying solely on nationalist theatrics.
His threat to cut off Pakistan’s water supply under the IWT was not mere posturing—it constituted a war crime under international law.
On the night of May 6–7, the IAF launched airstrikes targeting nine civilian areas in six cities, falsely claiming to hit terrorist camps. This grave misstep backfired spectacularly.
Pakistan’s Swift and Decisive Response
India was unprepared for the immediate and devastating response from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), which shot down four Rafale jets, two MiGs (29 and 30), and a Mirage 2000 within minutes. Pakistan asserted its right to self-defence and, by 1:30 a.m., had gained air superiority by digitally jamming Indian systems and paralysing its communication networks.
Modi, instead of retreating, escalated again. India launched waves of armed Heron drones to map Pakistan’s air defence, sow panic, and replicate Gaza-style fear tactics. Pakistan’s response was swift: 84 drones were neutralized.
A third escalation on May 9–10 saw missile attacks on Pakistani airbases. Pakistan thwarted most of these, with only minor damage reported.
Operation Bunyan Al Marsus
On the morning of May 10, after exhausting all avenues for restraint, Pakistan initiated Operation Bunyan Al Marsus, transitioning from a defensive to an offensive posture.
Precision air and ground strikes hit 32 Indian military targets. These included:
- 11 airbases across IOK, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Central Command
- Two brigade HQs, one battalion HQ
- Two S-400 battery sites in Udhampur and Bhuj
- BrahMos missile depots in Beas and Adampur
- Artillery positions, intelligence hubs, and key supply depots
- 70% of electric grid nodes supporting forward operations
Responsible vs. Reckless Conduct
India’s conduct was aggressive, irresponsible, and disproportionate. In contrast, Pakistan demonstrated restraint and strategic discipline, targeting only legitimate military infrastructure.
Pakistan employed its indigenously developed Fatah-I & II missiles and SH-15 guided artillery rockets—all conventional platforms designed for tactical warfare. These strikes were calculated and limited, signalling Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability and international norms.
Conversely, India used the BrahMos missile, a dual-capable system, for conventional attacks—a move that risked dangerous escalation. On May 9–10, India deployed air-launched BrahMos missiles to target Pakistani airbases like Nur Khan, Sargodha, Rafiqui, Jacobabad, and Buleri.
While some Fatah-II missiles were intercepted by India’s Barak-8 system, many struck their targets effectively, showcasing precision and intent.
The Strategic Fallout
India’s aspirations of being a regional bulwark against China have been compromised. Its strategic dominance crumbled, revealing deep structural and doctrinal flaws. Instead of isolating Pakistan, India inadvertently granted it military parity and enhanced global credibility.
India’s gamble to crush Pakistan militarily failed due to flawed assumptions, lack of preparation, and overreliance on foreign support.
The Collapse of Modi’s Illusions
India’s military planners targeted Karachi as Pakistan’s “jugular,” positioning INS Vikrant to enforce a blockade. However, upon encountering a prepared Pakistan Navy, the carrier retreated to avoid engagement with PL-15 missile batteries.
The world saw what India misjudged—Pakistan is no longer a fragile state. Its calm, precise, and articulate military response shattered India’s narrative of Pakistani instability and nuclear irresponsibility.
Pakistan emerged as a composed, rational, and responsible nuclear power.
The Road Ahead: Repercussions and Recalibrations
Despite the military defeat, India is rearming at an unprecedented pace. Thousands of drones, mass-produced BrahMos missiles, and advanced formations are being deployed near the southern border—indicating preparation for renewed conflict.
Domestically, Modi faces a crisis. The BJP is fracturing, the Kashmir issue has resurfaced, and Congress is gaining ground. RSS leadership has issued an ultimatum: if Modi doesn’t act, Yogi Adityanath will replace him.
Modi now sees military escalation as a political necessity.
Internationally, the West is disillusioned by India’s performance—especially as tensions with China rise. Quiet pressure is mounting on India to reclaim its lost credibility.
While the Indo-Pakistan tensions are still festering, Israel-Iran conflagration has made the already turbulent Middle East more explosive. Its flames could spill over towards Pakistan’s southern border. The conflict has deepened Pakistan-Iran relations.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s strategic patience, calibrated responses, and professional military conduct in the 2025 conflict revealed its maturity as a nuclear power. India, blinded by hubris, exposed its own vulnerabilities.
In trying to corner Pakistan, India lost the strategic narrative, its deterrence credibility, and its moral high ground.
The world now sees Pakistan not as a reckless actor, but as a responsible power capable of restraint, resolve, and decisive defence.
