India-Pakistan tensions heighten after Kashmir massacre

Is New Delhi prepared for retaliation?

In the wake of a savage terror strike on 22nd April 2025 in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 27 Hindu tourists dead in Kashmir, India is poised at the threshold of a crucial military and geopolitical moment. With widespread public indignation and tangible changes in military deployment, the question ringing across Indian masses, diplomatic suites, and media outlets is this: Is India ready to attack Pakistan?

The attack, conducted in the Kashmir area, has been attributed to cross-border militant operatives suspected to be operating on behalf of Pakistan’s intelligence agency. Although Pakistan has explicitly denied any role, India’s reaction has come quickly and strongly.

MEA and NSA cancel international visits, all eyes on the war room

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval have cancelled their impending visit to Brazil to attend the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Summit, a decision that has only increased speculations of a possible military intervention. Government sources said emergency meetings were convened at South Block at the weekend, with Army, Air Force, and Navy chiefs present.

“The message is clear,” declared one senior official on condition of anonymity. “The window for diplomacy is closing.”

China and Turkey support Pakistan with military aid

China has quickly become Pakistan’s most belligerent ally in this confrontation. Intelligence reports indicate that Beijing has exported sophisticated missile systems for JF-17 fighter aircraft. In a strong deviation from typical neutrality, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made public negative comments against India, affirming Pakistan’s right to self-defence “in the regions, in case of attack from India.”

In the meantime, Turkey has also provided Pakistan with advanced Bayraktar TB2 drones. Turkish military cargo aircraft have been reported to have landed at PAF stations in Mianwali and Chaklala in the past 48 hours, leading to a fear of an integrated military buildup.

One surprise tip-off is that the Indian intelligence is expecting a full-fledged cyber attack on the Indian system in the near future. Circular notice for these is yet to be issued.

India’s military on high alert, S-400s operational with Pakistan focus

India has inducted its Russian-purchased S-400 systems on its western border, and as per defence sources, these have already started monitoring abnormal air traffic from the other side of the Line of Control (LoC).

Indian Air Force stations at Pathankot, Ambala, and Srinagar have been put on ‘Code Red‘ war alert, with air fighter squadrons on 5-minute scramble alert. Indian Navy warships in the Arabian Sea have carried out live missile firing exercises, an unusual and sharp warning.

Confirmed sources report deep spy flights, radar-penetrating, have picked up the movement of Pakistani aircraft and moved into underground hangars as a clear indication that Islamabad is preparing for possible airstrikes.

The global chorus: “restraint and responsibility”

While India is making its choices, world powers are ringing alarm bells. The United States has warned India against escalating, reiterating the need for “strategic restraint.” Senior Pentagon officials are said to be in backchannel talks with Delhi and Islamabad.

USA President Donald Trump made an unusual remark on the India-Pakistan war of 1000 years!!!

This demonstrated his lack of knowledge regarding the matter. Pakistan is a new country founded in 1947. Which means the USA is attempting to distance itself from the problem without being partial to any side.

Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Egypt have urged New Delhi in private to “calibrate its response” in light of extensive economic links and continuous investments. “A war in South Asia will paralyze trade routes and hurt us all,” a UAE official said to the media.

Russia, busy with its involvement in Ukraine, has been diplomatically at arm’s length. While a major defence supplier to both countries, Moscow has yet to provide any mediatory function.

Pakistan’s defensive mobilization

On the other side of the border, Pakistan has redirected major fighter resources to underground bunkers, relocated its finest air force resource fighter aircraft, F16, to the western front, beyond the reach of India, switched on civil defence troops, further placing choice missile units on high alert. Officials from Pakistan blame India for “aggressive rhetoric” and threaten “dire consequences” if sovereignty is violated.

Several Pakistani civilian airports, such as Lahore and Multan, are now partially under military control. Intelligence also indicates cyber defences are being strengthened, preparing for potential hybrid warfare strategies.

Inside the war room: India’s options

India is said to have three principal options now, according to analysts:

• Surgical airstrikes on terror camps along the LoC, like the Balakot operation, are a one-off option.
• Stealth intelligence operations, such as targeted killings of senior terror leadership in Pakistan and cyber disruption.
• A multi-theatre attack, which risks escalation into full-scale war.

Many terror leaders in Pakistan are in hiding, fearing for their lives. The Pakistan armed forces chief is missing in action. The report suggests that he is hiding in a highly secure bunker to avoid a suspected assassination attempt on his life.

Indian military preparedness is not in doubt, but the geopolitical implications are potentially vast. A direct action risks bringing China into the mix, even if covertly.

Will India strike? Or just talk tough?

India today is more prepared militarily than it has been in decades, but the decision to strike isn’t just about capability, it’s about cost. With global oil prices already on the rise and upcoming elections on the horizon, Prime Minister Modi’s government must balance national anger with global diplomacy.

The panic buying has gone up in Indian markets with the supermarket witnessing a huge surge and citizens rushing to stock groceries etc with war clouds looming large on the horizon.

“India has the tools, the intelligence, and the muscle. But every step now is loaded with consequences,” asserted a retired Air Marshal.

This time Pakistan is eager to ignite the tension into war and get international attention. Most nation’s want India to initiate the war, which could cost then economically. Nevertheless, India has to make a decision tactfully and can’t keep things pending.

While the world waits with bated breath, one thing is certain: The next step will determine the strategic doctrine of New India.

Headline Analysis:
“The issue isn’t if India can strike!!!
“It’s whether India should and if the world can handle the fallout.”

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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