It has been little over two weeks since the brutal and senseless massacre of 26 innocent Hindu tourists by Pakistani terrorists in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The attackers, who moved freely around the popular tourist area, are believed to have received support from local Kashmiri hawkers and residents without which such a horrific act may have never been possible. The horrific incident marked the first instance where terrorists wilfully identified their victims as Hindus before killing them in cold blood, in front of their families including wives and children. The sheer brutality of the attack has few parallels in recent history, with the only comparable to the brutal killing by Hamas of Israeli holiday maker civilians on October 7, 2023, where terrorists targeted and killed innocent people out of hatred for Jews.
Unfortunately, India is not Israel, and Hindus are not Jews in terms of swift retaliation hence India’s response is still awaited. Many Hindus, as always, tend to give the benefit of the doubt, even to the most dreaded and malicious of enemies. Meanwhile, some people are growing increasingly frustrated that, even after two weeks have passed since the incident, no visible action has been taken. These reactions come despite repeated assurances from country’s Prime Minister, who has vowed to avenge the attack in a way that will exceed the imagination of those responsible for it.

He has promised not only to eliminate the perpetrators but also to target all those who aided or supported this heinous act. The Prime Minister has granted full autonomy to all the three-armed forces, empowering them to take decisive action to root out the enemy and prevent any recurrence of such brutality in future.
This is not the first time India has suffered a terrorist attack, over the years, thousands of innocent lives have been brutally taken by extremist groups operating from across the border. The exodus of nearly half a million Kashmiri Hindus from Kashmir 36 years ago, stands as a stark reminder of the Islamic extremism that has long been supported by Pakistan, with backing from nations like China and Turkey. The recent attack in Pahalgam was also orchestrated by Pakistan, allegedly at the behest of China, which seeks to destabilize India and disrupt its remarkable growth trajectory by propping up rogue elements to serve its strategic interests. Today, Pakistan lacks both the moral resolve and economic capacity to sustain a war with India even for a week, yet its aforementioned allies are encouraging it to confront India. This not only reflects a dangerously self-destructive mindset on Pakistan’s part but also represents a reckless willingness to endanger the lives of millions in both countries through such repeated acts of provocation.

The entire nation is deeply anguished and outraged, with a strong sentiment across the country demanding accountability and a befitting reply to the enemies. Many people are calling on the government to respond decisively to the provocations, with some even urging strong retaliatory action against those responsible for supporting terrorism. In response to these developments, the Indian government has already taken some bold and unprecedented steps on the political and diplomatic fronts, such as suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, which has long been seen as disproportionately benefiting Pakistan. Diplomatic relations between the two nations have deteriorated significantly, and military tensions are escalating, bringing both sides dangerously close to an open conflict. The Modi government has expressed a clear and determined stance to deal firmly with those who threaten India’s sovereignty and security. Certainly, it is just a matter of timing and strategic consideration before any further actions are taken to ensure that such acts are not repeated in the future.

In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, situations are never as straightforward as they might seem. India is not only contending with a few identifiable external adversaries, but also with numerous hidden threats from within. These internal elements are a greater danger than the foreign enemies. Some opportunists are merely waiting for the right moment even at the time of a national emergency, to create instability. It is, therefore, more crucial than ever for the Indian government to remain vigilant against both external and internal threats. -Yugal Parashar