What Should Be India’s Response To Pakistan For Perpetrating Pahalgam Killings?

What should be India’s response to Pakistan, the perpetrator of Pahalgam attack that taken 26 innocent fellow Indians lives, we still mourn?

Shailesh Kumar, National Defence
New Delhi, 03 May 2025

There could be 5 possible call to actions as a perspective & prospective responses to this question:

We avenge the death of Indian citizens by committing the same act.

We attack launch pads and terror bases in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in a special military operation.

We have a limited war with Pakistan to regain Pakistan Occupied Kashmir with an intent to assimilate PoK with our Kashmir as per the resolution of our Parliament.

We have a full- fledged all out war with Pakistan with an intent to liberate different regions that leads to formation of smaller countries like Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah with FATA, Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and liberate PoK to merge with our Kashmir.

We have a hybrid solution with an aim to have a Government and Army in Pakistan that doesn’t foster enmity with India.

Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indians

These are 5 broad call to actions given the anguish in Indian public. Lets first talk pros and cons on all 5 possibilities—

On 22nd April, 4- 5 terrorists including Pakistani terrorists, killed tourists after ascertaining their religion in a very shameful manner that is beyond imagination in Indian culture. So comes the first call to action option– that is to avenge the killings on religious line in tit for tat manner.

So first of all India is a secular democratic country and we do not stoop so low to the level of our adversary that matches us with that dirt. We believe in morality and avenging Indians death on religious lines would belie the sacrifice made by Muslim ponywala, who laid down his life in saving Hindus. Moreover, our military does not fight on religious lines. They work on absolute secular ethos. So this call to action option is out of purview.

Now comes the second call to action option that is Indian military attack launch pads and terror bases in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in a special military operation as what we did to avenge Uri attack in 2016 that followed by Balakot air strikes in 2019 in retaliation of Pulwama attack. Exercising this option demonstrates our military capability and political will.

Purpose should be to raises the cost for terror groups operating against India. However, there is a possibility of risk of escalation as Pakistan may presume or fed by third party that India has plans of full scale invasion of PoK. If the limited surgical strikes done in swift, precise manner with strong response and documented for wider publicity than Pakistan would be exposed despite possible attempts of denying the impact or existence of terror camps in PoK.

But there is a catch here… India should have solid intelligence. And given our cooperation with Super powers in the world, we can have that real time intelligence. However, we need to be cautious of Chinese collaboration with Pakistan military. And should be ready for collateral damage. Saving political and military face in such a scenario would be very difficult given the sentiments in India.

Now coming to the third call to action option— India should have a limited war with Pakistan to regain Pakistan Occupied Kashmir with an intent to assimilate PoK with our Kashmir as per the resolution of our Parliament. Looks promising but certainly not an option. One it is our Prime Minister’s consistent position that and I quote, “This is not an era of war”. This position has been consistent for years whether it is Russia Ukraine war or Chinese aggression on our Line of Control. So lets discuss this briefly-

First and foremost- both countries are nuclear power- so, it will immediately escalate a small conflict to nuclear war. Moreover, with Pakistan deploying and emploting tactical smaller nuclear weapons could be catastrophic for the region, as India will respond heavily in retaliation. De-escalation will be a major issue then. Loss of lives, environment, biodiversity and infrastructure would make the region inhabitable for another 100 years with risk of nuclear radiation affecting a larger population.

Now comes the fourth call to action option, we have a full- fledged all- out war with Pakistan with an intent to liberate different regions that leads to formation of smaller countries like Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah with FATA, Punjab, Gilgit Baltistan and liberate PoK to merge with our Kashmir.

So the answer to this is You are not able to handle one Pakistan, how will you manage the perpetual regional instability than. What happened in Bangladesh… with Hindu minorities is one live example before you. Even you win, you will have no legal right to invade the sovereignty of other nation.

You can not assimilate other regions and disturb your own politics and society. Even if you liberate and form smaller nation states- there is a possibility of infighting within sub-regions. Even Pakistan’s military is not able to cope up with terror groups and that is a stated fact. The smaller states would attract mujahidin and other terror groups of the world to this unstable region furthermore.

A full scale war and more so if started by India would bring condemnation from all sections of international diplomatic community. This may result in consequent sanctions if India goes against the will of great powers of the world. India in case of war may likely to loose prospects of permanent seat in UN Security Council.

Moreover, China will certainly come heavily against India given its huge investment and geo-politicalal CPEC interests in Gilgit Baltistan and PoK. This will have possibility of two front war, which will be a huge cost on India. It will stop India’s rise economically and may force India out of great power influence it wields today.

The war if happens will be a protracted one with huge cost of human lives and military sufferings in both the nations and may inflict civilian casualities beyond control. Given the jihadi elements in Pakistan’s different regions and in Pakistan military, there is a possibility of Pakistan’s nuclear weapon falling in the hands of rogue elements.

Prospects of use of a dirty bomb against India is not uncounted for. Again as on date, the politics in India is guided by Sanatan Dharma and you want a Hindu majoritarian state. What will happen when all of a sudden muslim population rises? How would you maintain your secular credentials as per the constitution. This may make Indian society more unstable and leads to backward direction.

Now comes the last and fifth call to action option– We have a hybrid solution that avenge the killings of innocent Indians and send a message to the world with a bang. This should be complemented with an aim to have a Government and Army in Pakistan that doesn’t foster enmity with India.

This includes covert operations by our security and intelligence agencies to eliminate terrorists and their enablers. This would have deniability; will avoid direct and open conflict while keeping the adversaries under constant pressure. Simultaneously we should catch the perpetrators of the crime and have a firm legal case and expose Pakistan on International forums including in United Nations and push for sanctions against Pakistan.

We must also plug loopholes in our security and certain Indian independent defence journalists must be given free hand to scrutinize the security and preparedness of our security forces rather then subjecting them to full or limited censorship to avoid unpleasing stories. Remember national interests are supreme in a democracy.

Remember the 22^nd April Pahalgam attack is an extraordinary hybrid war involving psychological and information domain. Our response should be befitting. Avenging innocent Indians death in befitting manner using hybrid means will sent a message of of a stronger resolved India while it will prevent collateral damage, military or nuclear escalation or negative effect on our economic rise.

Any attempt of war will distract prospective investors. It is a fact that India is not a great power in hybrid warfare but just a learner. Yet, there are real intelligent people in India who can guide security forces and the only condition for security agencies is to shun the ego and high handedness with civilian patriots in national interest.

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Watch our earlier stories on Pahalgam attack

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