In a troubling turn of events, India has chosen to pursue an unprecedented path of aggression against Pakistan following the Pahalgam incident. Instead of presenting credible evidence of Pakistani involvement—or accepting Islamabad’s call for an impartial, neutral investigation—New Delhi opted for premeditated military strikes. These attacks, launched on the nights of May 6-7 and 7-8, represent not only a violation of international norms but also a dangerous escalation in South Asia’s already fragile security environment.
Pakistan’s response has been decisive, proportionate, and demonstrative of its commitment to self-defense. Yet beyond the tactical victories achieved—most notably the downing of Indian Air Force assets and drones—lies a broader strategic narrative. It is a story of restraint under pressure, responsibility amidst provocation, and a measured resolve to defend sovereignty without succumbing to reckless escalation.
India’s choice to attack, under the tenuous guise of counterterrorism, raises serious questions. No credible evidence has been presented to the international community implicating Pakistan in the Pahalgam incident. More tellingly, India rejected Pakistan’s offer of a transparent, impartial investigation, overseen by international actors. This refusal reveals that the aggression was less about justice or security and more about political optics, domestic posturing, and military adventurism.
Compounding the gravity of India’s actions is its targeting of civilian sites. These strikes not only violate the Geneva Conventions but also undermine the moral and legal foundations of counterterrorism. By attacking non-military infrastructure, India crossed a line that threatens to normalize the targeting of civilian populations in South Asian conflicts—a deeply troubling precedent.
In the face of such aggression, Pakistan acted decisively. Its defensive operations succeeded in neutralizing multiple Indian platforms, including state-of-the-art assets. The downing of Indian Air Force aircraft is being acknowledged globally as an unprecedented achievement, reflecting both the professionalism and technical superiority of Pakistan’s armed forces. Simultaneously, Pakistan inflicted significant losses on Indian ground forces, with effective strikes targeting Indian Army posts, battalion headquarters, and brigade-level command centers. Estimates suggest 40-50 Indian soldiers were killed in these precision strikes. Yet, true to form, India has resorted to denial—a tactic consistent with its historical reluctance to acknowledge military setbacks.
India’s aggression on the night of May 7-8 revealed an even more sinister strategy. Its strikes were aimed at three categories of targets: Sikh religious sites, military infrastructure, and civilian populations. Each choice carried deliberate objectives.
By attacking Sikh religious symbols, India sought to intimidate its Sikh minority, send a chilling political message, and sow internal discord by framing Pakistan for these attacks. This tactic not only endangers religious harmony but also manipulates sacred spaces for geopolitical gain. Simultaneously, India targeted Pakistani military assets in an attempt to degrade defensive capabilities. Yet these attacks failed to achieve their objectives, with Pakistan successfully intercepting and downing most of the incoming drones. The shooting down of sophisticated drones, including Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions, underscores Pakistan’s superior air defense capabilities.
India’s use of Israeli-made Harop drones highlights another critical dimension of this escalation: the deepening military and technological collaboration between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. These drones, designed for loitering and precision strikes, are intended for tactical battlefield use—not for attacking civilian urban centers. Their deployment against civilian targets in Pakistan reflects an unethical application of military technology and raises serious legal and diplomatic questions.
In the face of these provocations, Pakistan’s leadership has called for calm, confidence, and vigilance. The nation must trust in the competence and preparedness of its armed forces, who have already demonstrated remarkable success in defending sovereignty and deterring further escalation. At the same time, the public must remain alert to India’s parallel campaign of psychological and information warfare. Disinformation, rumors, and propaganda are being deployed to sow fear, undermine trust in national institutions, and distort perceptions of the conflict. In this environment, it is imperative that information is shared responsibly, verified thoroughly, and contextualized accurately.
The events of May 6-8 mark a critical juncture for South Asia. India’s escalation, under flimsy pretenses and with dangerous targeting choices, has raised the stakes. Yet Pakistan’s disciplined, effective, and morally grounded response has demonstrated a commitment to self-defense without abandoning international norms. As India pursues militarized propaganda, Pakistan stands firm in its resolve to defend its people, uphold sovereignty, and expose aggression on the world stage. The nation must remain united, vigilant, and confident—knowing that its armed forces have not only defended the homeland but upheld the principles that distinguish responsible actors from reckless aggressors.