After repeated drone and missile attacks and the Pahalgam massacre, Indian officials redefine the rules of engagement: terrorism backed by Pakistan will face full-scale retaliation.
May 10, 2025: In a decisive shift in its security doctrine, India has formally warned that any future act of terrorism linked to Pakistan will be treated as an act of war — triggering a military-level response, top government sources said on Saturday.
This significant statement comes after three consecutive nights of drone and missile attacks launched by Pakistan on Indian military and civilian targets across Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan — almost all of which were intercepted by India’s advanced air defence systems.
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Terrorism Now Equals War
The recalibration of India’s counter-terrorism policy follows the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 Indian tourists were killed. Intelligence inputs identified the attackers as operatives of Pakistan-based terror outfits.
In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, a coordinated air and missile strike campaign targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
ISI-Pak Army Link Exposed
Military and intelligence officials revealed irrefutable evidence that the Pakistan Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have provided logistical support, funding, and shelter to terrorist groups.
“These terror camps are often located near or within Pakistani army installations, giving them protection and legitimacy,” said a senior defence official.
Satellite and drone footage presented by Indian forces shows terrorists using Pakistani military infrastructure as cover during their operations — undermining Pakistan’s global posturing as a responsible state actor.
What Will Be Considered An Act of War?
Under the new engagement rules, any of the following terror-related incidents would invite a military response from India:
- Bombings in Indian territory
- Cross-border sniper or mortar fire
- Aircraft hijackings
- Cyberattacks on infrastructure
- Biological or chemical strikes
- Attacks on government buildings or military camps
India has made it clear that “non-State actors” will no longer be accepted as a defence when evidence links the operation back to the Pakistani establishment.
Global Exposure of Pakistan’s Terror Nexus
India’s broader strategy is not only to destroy terrorist bases but also to expose the Pakistan Army’s duplicity on the international stage.
“Pakistan presents itself as a peace-seeking democracy, but its army continues to sponsor violence through proxies,” a senior MEA official told NDTV.
India’s Message: Provocation Has a Price
India’s leadership, both civilian and military, is committed to acting with calm and strategic proportionality — but is no longer willing to let state-sponsored terrorism go unanswered.
As the standoff continues along the Line of Control and western international borders, India’s rules of engagement have changed — and the world is watching.