(Image source from: PTI)
According to reports, any future terrorist act perpetrated by Pakistan will be regarded as an act of war, prompting a decisive response from India. This warning holds considerable weight, especially since, over the past three nights, Pakistan has been conducting drone and missile strikes on both military sites and civilian regions in northern India, most of which have been effectively countered by India's strong air defense capabilities. The announcement regarding the new engagement protocols against cross-border terrorism follows two weeks after an attack by Pakistan-linked militants resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In retaliation, India executed precision missile strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Pakistani military, which maintains a significant influence over the civilian government, intensified hostilities by launching drone attacks on Indian civilian areas.
The involvement of the Pakistani army in backing terrorist operations against India became more pronounced on May 7, when they defended the terror sites struck by Indian missiles during Operation Sindoor. Indian military and intelligence officials highlighted clear evidence showing that certain factions within the Pakistan Army, especially those associated with the Inter-Services Intelligence, were facilitating logistical support, safe havens, training, and financial aid to terrorist organizations operating in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The location of many terrorist camps near known military bases raised further suspicions of intentional protection, according to sources. In multiple instances, terrorists were observed utilizing Pakistan Army facilities for cover or accessing restricted areas without hindrance. Moreover, they noted that despite various international efforts, the Pakistani authorities had made minimal progress in dismantling these networks, a leniency that India interprets as active complicity.
Acts of terror deemed a declaration of war encompass bombings, shootings, hijackings, and cyber, biological, or chemical attacks, including strikes on government facilities, military bases, and related institutions. While such attacks are typically executed by non-state actors, certain nations, notably Pakistan, have been found to explicitly support terrorist endeavors, instigating violence and encouraging these operations. In response, India has aimed not only to eliminate physical terrorist infrastructure but also to shed light on the duplicity of the Pakistan Army, which presents itself as a responsible entity in international affairs while secretly fostering violent non-state actors.
